Like a wind at their backs local Wind farm projects are moving forward

The twin developments of wind power on the North Coast are moving forward with the announcement that Katabatic power has selected an engineer for the Banks Island project and that the Mount Hays project has received a licence of occupation from the province for its development for the south side of Mount Hays.

The latest developments were featured on Monday as the front page story in the Daily News.


WIND FARM PROJECTS BREEZE FORWARD, ENGINEER SELECTED
Katabatic Power is working with CH2M HILL to develop two local wind farms
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, November 05, 2007
Pages one and three

Two wind farms being proposed by Katabatic Power - on Banks Island and Mount Hays - are moving forward.

Last week, Katabatic Power and the Deutsche Bank AG announced they have selected an engineer for the proposed wind farm on Banks Island, just south of Prince Rupert.
CH2M HILL has been chosen to work on the joint venture that is expected to generate 700 megawatts of wind energy on the North Coast.

"We are very pleased to have CH2M HILL working with us to ensure the Banks Island project is a success," said Anthony Duggleby, president and CEO of Katabatic.

"With a worldwide reputation for excellence in energy project development, planning and design, CH2M HILL is an ideal partner as we prepare to bring our project forward as part of BC Hydro's next Call for Power."

The Banks Island North Wind Energy Project is proposed for the north end of Banks Island. Pending First National consultation and environmental approval, the companies hope to install 234 three-megawatt turbines, an access road and 146 kilometres of transmission lines that will feed into the existing British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC) energy grid located near Kitimat.

“Our team is looking forward to working with Katabatic on this ground-breaking renewable energy facility.” said Todd Barthoff, director Sustainable Energy for CH2M HILL.

The Banks Island project is the second wind farm project being undertaken by Katabatic. It is also proposing a smaller wind turbine project on the south side of Mount Hays, within the city of Prince Rupert itself.

Two weeks ago, the Mount Hays Wind Farm project received a licence of occupation from the province for 364.4 hectares of land on the top and south side of Mount Hays.

The company has a 25-year electricity power purchase agreement with B. C. Hydro for the Mount Hays project and hopes to have the province’s first land-based wind farm in operation by the winter of 2008.

The Mount Hays Wind Farm will generate electricity from 17 wind turbines, each capable of producing 1.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity for a project total of 25.5 MW. Once in operation, the Wind Farm will produce enough electricity for 10,000 homes from a renewable, clean energy source.

“The Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro have recognized that wind energy is an important part of a renewable and sustainable energy future, and we are very excited to be playing a leadership role in generating new sources of power for British Columbians,” said Duggleby.

For some Rupertites, it’s a foul wind ready to blow on Mount Hays

Katabatic power is finding that there is a bit of resistance to their plans of harnessing the winds of the North coast, as local recreation users of Mount Hays wonder how much impact development there is going to have on their out door activities.

The discussion arose during a public hearing held by the city to amend its zoning bylaw to make room for the proposed wind farm on Mount Hays. Katabatic hopes to begin construction on 17-20 steel towers this winter, when completed the towers, topped with wind turbines will reach 80 metres high on the south side of Mount Hays.

The Thursday Daily News reported on some of the concerns of the participants at the public hearing held on Monday night.

SOME BLUSTER AT PROSPECT OF WIND FARM
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Pages one and three

The proposal to put a wind farm on the south side of Mount Hays had recreational users questioning just how the project would impact the community both now and in the future.

The city held a public hearing to amend its zoning bylaw to allow wind farms to be included as a use in the A1 zone, a zone that currently includes such uses a power lines and generating stations.

“This is to amend the bylaw to allow a wind farm on Mount Hays,” said Zeno Krekic, the city’s planner.

The project proposed by Katabatic Power that triggered the amendment includes installing 17 to 20, 80-metre-tall steel towers topped with wind turbines.

The towers will be embedded deep within the bed rock atop the mountain.

Katabatic has a 25-year power purchase agreement with B. C. Hydro for the sale of electricity produced at the site.

At the hearing, resident Larry Golden asked who would be looking after the road to the top of Mount Hays and whether the city has any guarantee that the steel towers will be removed once the project is completed.

“If these guys find they can’t make a living at this and abandon the project, then what happens?” asked Golden.

Krekic said as far as road infrastructure is concerned, the questions would have to be answered by the provincial agency, Crown Lands.

“As far as the decommissioning of the project, I really cannot comment on that,” said Krekic.

“But projects of this nature have environmental assessment that include statements about decommissioning.”

A representative from Medallion Paging was also at the session to ask how the project would impact the transmission from the company’s tower on the top of Mount Hays.

Once again, Krekic said that question would have to be answered by Katabatic.

The Mount Hays project is expected to produce 25 megawatts, an amount described as being enough to power 12,000 homes.

Jonathon Raymond, chief operating officer of Katabatic Power, said the company hopes to start construction this winter.

Specifically, Katabatic plans to start fixing certain parts of Wantage Road this winter and will construct two new sections of road to access their site. They also plan on drilling holes to determine how best to anchor the towers that will support the turbines.

The company is applying for an ecoENERGY for Renewable Power Grant from the federal government. In order to be eligible for the grant, Katabatic must file an environmental assessment of the project.

ecoEnergy for Renewable Power will provide an incentive of one cent per kilowatt-hour for up to 10 years to eligible low-impact, renewable electricity projects constructed during the four years from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 201..