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Suncor and Acciona, owners of the Ripley Wind Power Project, have
just finished burying the wires between the wind farm and the local
distribution system, as well as all overhead lines near Concession 6/Sideroad
30 and Concession 4/Sideroad 25.
A letter from the wind power company was discussed last night (Dec. 7)
at Huron-Kinloss council's general committee meeting.
Written by Paul Austin, community relations manager of Acciona Wind
Energy Canada, the letter states that the work was being done as an
industry best practice and will separate all common "neutral" wires
between the two systems in the event of outages/anomalies related to
electrical storms or systemic failures.
Austin wrote that Acciona and Suncor have conducted thorough studies of
the wind farm to determine if electromagnetic fields or power quality
might be linked to the health concerns reported to the township by area
residents. "We have not been able to confirm that such a link exists,"
he states.
However, by burying the lines and wires, this "removes the basis for
misconceptions about the collector system that people may have had,"
states Austin. "The systems will now be separate. Reasonably, the
engineering enhancement could provide peace of mind to those who have
had concerns, and if so, we would welcome that outcome as well.
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"We consider our relationship with the Ripley community to be for the
long-term and one that should be mutually beneficial," writes Austin.
"It is our hope to continue to find ways to improve and enhance the
operations of the RWPP (Ripley Wind Power Project), and ensure our
stakeholders' concerns continue to be heard. We will work toward keeping
the lines of communication open while producing clean energy to power
24,000 Ontario homes and displace the equivalent of 66,000 tonnes of
carbon dioxide per year."
"This is good news for the township," said councillor Lillian Abbott.
Earlier this year, residents of the area near the wires and overhead
lines, came to the township complaining of major health concerns, such
as severe headaches, and asking for council's help in dealing with the
owner of the wind farm.
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