Enbridge brings 115 wind turbines online

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(L) The Honourable George Smitherman, MPP Carol Mitchell, Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer and Enbridge President, Janet Holder.

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Turning wind into energy has been a tradition in Bruce County -- click for more

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Annual Kincardine Santa Claus Parade the theme this year is "Let's Make it a green Christmas!" Saturday December 5, 2009 at 6:30 pm Bundle up and come out and enjoy this fun filled family activity for details call Jackie 519-396-9333

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Deputy Premier Smitherman and MPP Mitchell push the button to officially open the project

In Bruce County, outside Kincardine in the small village of Underwood, 115 new wind turbines came online today as the Honourable George Smitherman, Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce officially pushed the button.

Janet Holder, President of Enbridge Gas Distrubiton said the the project is the second largest wind farm in Canada. "Ontario is well on its way to meeting its targets tor renewable energy."

The day was heavily overcast, with thick fog and rain at times, as dignitaries, special guests and the media gathered in the middle of the 20,000 hectare site which was, in reality, a farmer's field that the rain had turned into a quagmire.

Enbridge began construction on the site in July, 2007 and the wind farm began supplying energy to the province's electricity grid in August, 2008. It wasn't until Feburary of this year (2009) however, that the final turbine came online. According to Enbridge, the 115 turbines at peak capacity of 190 megawatts will provide enough power for between 50,000 and 60,000 homes.

Smitherman said that, "With more than 950 megawatts online, Ontario leads the rest of Canada in wind energy." He also went to add that the Green Energy Act is expected to "...transform Ontario's electricity generation system into one of the cleanest, greenest energy supply mixes in the world."

MPP Carol Mitchell said that the Liberals were proud of their role as an energy powerhouse. "Keeping the lights on keeps Ontario competitive and benefits families and businesses across the province while helping to clean up our air."

11/05/2010 07:06 PM

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More than $370,000 will be paid annually in municipal taxes and, according to Enbridge, more than $900,000 will be paid out each year in lease payments to landowners. The capital cost of the entire project was more than $400 million.

While the official event took place in a large white tent at the project site, many protesters stood in the rain with placards protesting the installation of wind energy turbines. Many were from as far away as Flesherton, 'Tiny' Town and Renfrew.

"We feel that wind projects such as this," explained Smitherman, "will help farmers diversify by becoming an energy supplier and will help them transition from one generation to the next so that farms stay within families. Also, municipalties will benefit from enhancements to the tax base. This is an important development that will help eliminate our reliance on coal generated electricity."

Regardless of protests, it would appear that wind farms are not only here to stay, they are about to grow dramatically once the Green Energy Act is passed and, according to Smitherman, it goes before Committee this Monday, April 6.

Enbridge is up and running

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