HALIFAX - The Glen Dhu wind farm project in Bailey's Brook got a new lease on life, all the way from Spain.
A Spanish utility company, Inveravante, bought a 62 per cent interest - for $27 million - in Shear Wind Inc., the Bedford company behind the Glen Dhu project. Inveravante said it would finance the project which was stalled due in part to the economic downturn.
Inveravante president, Manuel Jove, was in Halifax on Monday for the announcement.
Mike Magnus, president of Shear Wind, said construction on the first phase of the $180 million project will begin right away. He said the 30 wind turbines will generate enough electricity for 18,000 homes per year and should be operating late in 2010.
He said the second phase, an expansion of the wind farm project, will generate 230 megawatts of electricity by 2012.
Pictou East MLA Clarrie MacKinnon called the announcement "a good day for Nova Scotia and a great day for Pictou East."
MacKinnon said it is the largest private investment in Pictou East in his lifetime.
He also mentioned opposition to the wind farm project during his remarks at the Halifax Club.
"I firmly believe that a vast majority of residents in the area support the wind farm. However, there has been and continues to be some concern over the effects of wind-farms on the human population. However, Shear Wind has tried to address those concerns with site-relocations, a liaison committee and information sessions," MacKinnon said. "As MLA, I have come out in strong favour of the Glen Dhu project…because, as I have said repeatedly: 'If we are against everything, we will get nothing."
The Eco Awareness Society, a group of concerned area residents, has been steadfast in its opposition to the wind farm project as it stands.
The society, which now has more than 50 members, said in a press release that the cash infusion for the project does not alter the group's concerns over the environmental impact.
"We believe the project's adverse effects to both residents and the environment are extensive, and the sole justification for this project, which is to reduce greenhouse gases, has not been substantiated," the press release stated.
EAS said that since Shear Wind has publicly announced the total size of both phases of the Glen Dhu project residents have been contacting members of the society.
"We have received calls from residents in the area that are shocked and concerned by the immensity of the project and its impact on the environment. The... 70 turbines in that area will dominate this most picturesque piece of Nova Scotia."
The EAS said that keeping in mind Inveravante's wealth, it will seek property assurances and other protections for the residents and environment of the community.
"Currently, this community bears all the risk in this project, while Inveravante will accrue all the profit."
Cash infusion for Shear Wind
- Published on November 13th, 2009
- Published on Febuary 20th, 2010
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Staff ~ The News
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Comments
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- Tim
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:56
Darryl.....These project are massive and unsightly. They ruin landscapes and make the value of homes plunge in value. They are noisy and harm many species of birds. I would be fighting tooth and nail to keep them out of my neighbourhood. I hope the people of baileys brook somehow manage to stop this project. Contrary to popular belief, windmills do not lessen the cost of energy...they provide a cleaner method of producing it. Tatamagouche got theirs stopped for good. I hope the same holds true for BB. tim
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- from outside
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:51
And Coal Power plants are more asthetically appealing, smoke belching from their stacks, and the how about the fly ash and the waste from the coal power plants... how does that affect environment, people's health and property values... next thing you know people will be complaining about huge solar farms too.... Oh the relection of light hurts my eyes take them down .....
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- PSupp
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:47
I live just down the road where this project will take place and I think it is great news. How are windmills unslightly, it's not like I am going to look up the mountain and say, Man, those windmills are so ugly I think I'll pack up and move into town . Geez, people will complain about anything.
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- darryl
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:46
This is great news for the people of the lismore area.This project has been delayed to long by a MINORITYgroup of people that have nothing better to do than complain.Good luck to everyone that has a stake in SHEAR WIND
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- Stewed
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:37
I think the windmills are a great idea as long as Nova Scotians - especially those of us here in Pictou Co. will get the benifits of the power generated from these windmills. Any job loss from the Trenton Power Plant should be automatically transferred to Glen Dhu. If we Pictou Counters will not recieve the power, then why pollute the natural beauty of our landscape. Who wants to see a sunset or sunrise with windmills on the horizon?
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- billy butt suker
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:36
Hey Tim from NS
If birds fly into a windmill, you are basically eliminating the dumb birds. If a bird cannot see a stucture this large, see ya later. I bet you are the type of person that if the power goes out, you are complaining big time to NSP. Give me a break. What do u want, a nuclear reactor? -
- County resident
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:35
How do you think the people from Trenton feel with fly ash all over their kids toys and mysterious ash clouds dumping soot on kids? But I'm sure you don't care because it is not you. These wind farms are the way of the future, clean and renewable energy. Like it or don't it is going to happen.
