Apr 14, 2015

U.S.-based NextEra is proposing a wind power project for the Addington Highlands which could see about 100 wind turbines erected in the Denbigh area.

Paul Lindsay (SDRA V.P.) attended the community meeting that was held on Thursday, April 9th in Denbigh and filed the following report.

The vocal majority at this meeting were against the turbines. Anyone who had already signed contracts were either silent or absent - it is rumored that these contracts include a gag order. The representatives from NEXTera Energy were very open with information. They were very patient and, obviously, prepared to handle complaints. They had answers for everything.

The facts:

• This will be a 200 Megawatt Project
• There will be about 100 Turbines
• NEXTera Energy has already leased 12,000 acres of land (none of the land is aboriginal land, so they have avoided this issue)
• The area concerned is a large oval surrounding Denbigh (there is a map of the area which I will try to get)
• Turbines will be minimum of 550 metres away from residences (except residences on leased property)
• Each Turbine occupies 1.5 acres when complete (Solar panels occupy much more)
• Each Turbine should last 25 – 30 years
• Sounds levels must be under 40 decibels
• NEXTera Energy is responsible for decommissioning (They commented that if Nextera Energy is bankrupt in 30 years some new owner would take over. The material value of each tower exceeded the cost of decommisioning)
• The Green Energy Act overrides many municipal rules such as building permits and zoning
• There is a point system where municipalities can vote against the project and no points will be awarded due to lack of cooperation. However, if all municipalities object then it is a wash and they simply pick the best spot. Addington-Highlands has very little control over this project.
• Addington-Highland would see a financial benefit from Property Taxes of $450,000.00 per year. Addington-Highland’s portion of that would be $189,000.00. Plus A-H would receive an annual payment of $350,000.00. Total $539,000.00 per year. That is a 24.5% increase.

My sense from all of this was that NEXTera Energy has already spent a significant amount of money on this project and it is going ahead regardless. Unlike forestry in this area there are financial incentives to many residents for this to go ahead.

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