Arthur Wind Farm Project: Environmental Screening Process

Arthur Wind Farm Project: Environmental Screening ProcessInformation Bulletin #2 April 2007IntroductionSchneider Power Inc. (“SPI”) is a privately owned,Ontario-based wind power development companyfocused on establishing wind power generationfacilities. Wind power is the fastest growing sectorof the global power generation industry. To date,Canada has trailed other industrial nations (inparticular European countries) in wind powerproduction despite a strong wind resource.SPI is proposing to construct a small-scale, lowimpactwind farm in the Town of Arthur, Ontario.SPI will be completing the EnvironmentalAssessment.The project will involve:• Wind Farm to be located between Fergusand Mt. Forest, north of Highway 9• Total area of wind farm is approximately350 acres• Construction of 5 wind turbines with a unitgenerating capacity of 2 MW each, totalgeneration capacity in the range of 10 MW• Electrical connection will requireunderground cable from the turbines, padmount transformers and a connection to 44kV grid on Highway 109Assessment of Wind Turbine SitesIn order to minimize potential environmentalimpacts from the wind turbines, the following issueswere taken into consideration during the turbinesiting process:• Avoid designated heritage areas, Areas ofNatural and Scientific Interest (ANSIs),Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs),migratory birds habitat and staging areas,significant vegetation areas and watercourses.• Avoid designated hazard lands.• Setbacks: approximately 50 m from propertyline, minimum 250 m from dwellings.(Discussions are ongoing with the municipalityto develop zoning by-laws that will identifyspecific set-backs for turbines).• Sound set-back: in accordance with latestMinistry of the Environment Guidelines for WindTurbine Generators: a limit of 40 dBA or higher(dependent on wind speed) for receptors wasused.Assessment of Electrical Line RoutesAn assessment was undertaken on the electrical lineroute. To minimize impacts on the environment theroute selected utilized existing road right-of-ways,where possible. The electrical lines from theturbine properties to the grid tie-in point will besituated on private property or in the existing roador utility right-of-ways. The preferred location of theexisting electrical lines is the shortest routebetween the wind farm and the existing hydro lines(44 kV line on Highway 109).Recommended Solution (Turbines & Electrical Line)Environmental Impacts and MitigationMeasuresEnvironmental impacts will generally be limited totemporary impacts associated with constructionactivities. These impacts are not anticipated to besignificant or adverse and they can be mitigated.Based on the bird studies completed in the area, itwas determined that construction activities are notlikely to have any significant impact on birds (or anyother wildlife).The operation phase of the project will requiresome maintenance and inspection of the turbines

on a regular basis but minimal environmentalimpacts are expected from these activitiesTurbine and Electrical Line DesignThe turbines proposed for the project are ENERCONmachines, model E82. The state-of-the-arttechnology is rated at 2MW capacity with hubheight of 80 meters with a gearless turbine. Theblades, horizontal axis, are constructed of fiberglassand epoxy resin. The tower is tubular steel, with adiameter of approximately 82 meters at the basefor the model.Some of the wind turbines will have externallighting in accordance with the requirements ofNavigation Canada.Direct buried cables are proposed to connect thewind turbines to the existing overhead lines runningalong the side of the roads (within the road rightof-ways).These cables will connect one to three ormore wind turbines on a common cable.The preferred electrical line route is along Line 3and will tie in with the Hydro One grid onHighway109.Next StepsThe public will have the opportunity to review theevaluation of the electrical line route and to provideinput on the recommended wind turbine sites andelectrical line route as well as mitigation measures.Comments received at PIC #2 (held April 17th) willbe considered in finalizing the recommended windturbine sites and the electrical line route.The Environmental Impact StatementReport/Screening Report will be completed insummer 2007. It is anticipated that the Notice ofCompletion will be filed in the local newspaper inJuly or August 2007 for a minimum 30-day publicreview period.During the detailed design and construction phases,SPI will consult and obtain the necessary approvalsform the appropriate ministries and/or agencies.It is anticipated that the project will be constructedand commissioned in early 2008.For further information or if you wish to provideyour comments please contact:Beatrice AshbyHead of Environmental Planning & PermittingSchneider Power Inc.49 Bathurst Street, Suite 101Toronto, Ontario M5V 2P2Phone: 416.847.3724 x 229Fax: 416. 847.3729Email: beatrice@schneiderpower.comYour participation in this study would be appreciated