THUNDER BAY – Some rural-area landowners can expect to hear from a developer investigating prospects for a wind farm near Thunder Bay.
EDF Renewables, a subsidiary of a France-based company specializing in renewable energy production, is interested in the Independent Electricity System Operator's plan to procure additional energy sources for Ontario in the coming years, as part of an initiative dubbed LT2.
EDF is the same company proposing to develop a solar park at the Terrace Bay Airport.
Recently, through an agent, EDF has been reaching out to property owners in Gorham and Jacques Townships to see who might be willing to have their land considered for a wind park.
Mark Gallagher, the company's director of development / grid-scale power, told Newswatch the company is currently exploring a few potential sites, but the project is still in its very early stages.
It would likely produce 200 megawatts of electricity, using 35 to 40 modern wind turbines.
By comparison, an existing $250 million wind farm owned by Enbridge and RES Canada in the Township of Dorion has 43 turbines.
Completed in 2011, it produces abut 99 megawatts.
Gallagher said if EDF finds a suitable site outside Thunder Bay, it's unlikely to be online before 2030.
"The project would have to go through all provincial, federal and local approvals, which would likely take two years or more. We would normally also seek to work in partnership with local Indigenous communities, and ensure the sites are located with traditional use in mind."
He added that the company would strive to ensure the infrastructure was sited carefully "to avoid impacts."
EDF currently has no operating projects anywhere in Northern Ontario.
"We are exploring some site areas at this stage, and are open to hearing from anyone who has lands that they believe might be suitable for development," Gallagher said.
In the case of Jacques and Gorham Townships, he said if there aren't enough landowners who want to explore the opportunity, the company might look at other locations around Thunder Bay.
"Normally, we gauge interest from landowners. If there is sufficient interest, we sign lands up to an option to lease or similar, then we erect a mast and monitor wind speeds for at least a year, undertake community engagement and environmental studies, etc... Hopefully there is enough interest to build a sufficient land base, and then we begin the studies."
The last time a developer attempted to establish a wind farm in the Thunder Bay area, it did not end well.
Horizon Wind ultimately launched a lawsuit against the Ontario government after its efforts to develop the Big Thunder wind project in the Nor'Wester mountain range were foiled in 2014.
A decade later, the provincial government is more inclined to encourage renewable energy projects, including in Northern Ontario, where – under a plan announced in August –it intends to incentivize projects and "unlock Crown lands" for renewable energy.
