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April 2010:
Wind Power on Vancouver Island
Wind power has finally come to Vancouver Island. As outlined in the articles below BC Hydro announced that Sea Breeze Power Corp had been awarded a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The road ahead is difficult as was shown by the first two wind power companies that were awarded PPAs but I believe that Sea Breeze has the ability to make this a success and that they will be the forerunner of a strong wind energy hub on the North Island. Congratulations.
Wind power project advances BC Hydro’s Clean Call
By Bruce Winfield – North Island Gazette
Published: April 01, 2010 11:00 AM
Updated: April 06, 2010 9:59 AM
Bruce Winfield
Gazette staff
PORT HARDY – A company with major plans for a North Island wind farm received a big green light from BC Hydro Mar. 31.
The Knob Hill Wind Farm, proposed by Sea Breeze Power Corp. of Vancouver, has been offered a critical 20-year Electricity Purchase Agreement under the Clean Power Call covering 99 megawatts in its first phase.
In total, the four projects will generate more than 450 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean, reliable electricity annually – enough to supply close to 40,000 homes in B.C. The projects, which include one wind, one waste heat and two run-of-river projects, are in addition to 19 projects selected earlier in March.
Sea Breeze Power was “extremely pleased” by the news, said Resja Campfens, Executive Vice-President, who has worked on the local plans. “We’ve been working on it for seven years and we’ve already invested several million dollars.”
The Knob Hill Wind Farm Project is located 35 km northwest of Port Hardy, within the traditional territories of the Kwakiutl, Quatsino, and Tlatlasikwala First Nations. Phase 1 of the Project would generate enough renewable electricity to power an estimated 35,000 British Columbia homes.
“During this process, we have received strong support from the Quatsino, Tlatlasikwala, and Kwakiutl First Nations as well as the communities of Port Hardy, Port McNeill, and the Regional District of Mount Waddington, for which we are deeply grateful,” said Paul Manson, President and CEO of Sea Breeze. “To reciprocate this valuable support, the project will create green employment opportunities for the local communities and will move the region towards a more sustainable economic future.”
Construction on the Knob Hill Wind Farm is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2011, with a target date for delivery of electric power late in 2012. “There will be a lot of work during construction, for over a year, said Campfens, who estimated that six to 10 local jobs will be created.
Sea Breeze Power thanks North Island for support
Published: April 20, 2010 5:00 PM
Paul Manson
President & CEO
Sea Breeze Power
When BC Hydro offered Sea Breeze Power Corp an Electricity Power Agreement (EPA) to build the Knob Hill Wind Farm, Al Huddlestan, Chair of the Regional District of Mount Waddington, said a thoughtful letter: “The North Island is well on the way to becoming the alternative energy hub for all Vancouver Island.”
Today, I want to share with Gazette readers our pride at Sea Breeze helping make Al’s prediction a reality. Eight years ago we held our first public meeting in Port Hardy to share our vision for the development of “green energy” on the North Island. Since then, the Sea Breeze team has worked tirelessly to reach our goal, the construction of a 99-megawatt wind farm providing clean power to energize 35,000 homes.
And, since that first meeting, the residents of this region – individually, through town councils, the regional district, chambers of commerce and First Nations councils – have supported our endeavours.
In the week leading up to BC Hydro’s announcement, this newspaper conducted a poll to determine how many readers supported the Knob Hill Wind Farm. It was most gratifying to discover that you responded in record numbers and 93 per cent of you gave Knob Hill a “thumbs up.” Thank you.
The big question for most people is: What next? By the time you read this the Knob Hill EPA will probably be signed and the contract secured. After that, the EPA goes to the BC Utilities Commission for approval.
This summer, Knob Hill’s Environmental Assessment Certificate, awarded in 2004, will be updated. This process will include a public meeting to share current information about the project and receive public input. Later this year a general contractor will be selected for the project and for the balance of the year and well into 2011 there will be detailed construction permitting with federal, provincial and local authorities.
During the summer of 2011 road and wind turbine foundation construction will begin 35 km northwest of Port Hardy and the massive turbines will start arriving in the spring of 2012 for installation by October. Transmission line construction will also begin during the summer of 2012. During this two-year period there will be 80 to 100 construction jobs created and they will be generated locally as much as possible.
Between now and late 2012 when the wind turbines begin generating clean power, the managers of the project will make every effort to keep all residents of the North Island well informed of their progress and of the opportunities being created. Communication will continue with the Quatsino, Tlatlasikwala and Kwakiutl First Nations.
Once again thank you for your steadfast support. With your continued support the Knob Hill Wind Farm will help position the North Island as a B.C. leader in the development of efficient, self-sustaining, clean energy production and transmission.