Wind energy projects in BC

The GSX Concerned Citizens Coalition was asked about its opinion on offshore wind in BC. The response turned into a summary of wind in BC, and we felt was worth sharing.

One of GSXCCC's strong opinions is that we do not need gas-fired electricity generation on Vancouver Island. We believe that with a balanced approach to energy issues, including robust transmission links from the mainland, investment in efficiencies, conservation, and renewable energy technologies, especially wind, that Vancouver Island could become a global showcase for progressive sustainable energy solutions.

At GSXCCC, however, we have been focussed for five years now on fighting BC Hydro's fossil fuel "solution" for the island, and have never had the resources or opportunity to turn our attention to these better solutions.

In 2004, the BC Sustainable Energy Association was launched, to respond to that need for an organization whose purpose is to advocate for the sustainable energy vision. Check BC-SEA out at www.bcsea.org, and their wind section. BC-SEA has new chapters forming across British Columbia almost monthly.

Wind studies that have been done in BC have inconclusive findings. Some are exuberant at the potential, like the Helimax study.

The recently announced Canadian Wind Energy Atlas doesn't rank BC as high as Alberta, for example. That's misleading because BC has many spots with excellent wind potential, even if our winds may be more seasonal and gustier than Alberta's.

A poorer assessment of wind potential in BC is one done at considerable expense by BC Hydro a few years ago. Hydro did it in part as a sop to GSXCCC's opposition to the Vancouver Island gas projects. It extrapolated from known wind data to places miles from the data source, gave higher factors to mountain tops, and ignored shorelines and offshore - and in general was the modern equivalent of one of those unempirical maps of the world from the middle ages, where the cartographer (or in this case the computer) made it up when it didn't have any real information. BC Hydro has more (and better) info now at its Green Power site

There are four wind projects that we are aware of in BC:

1. The Holberg Wind project on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, near Holberg, is the only wind project with a contract with BC Hydro. It has completed a review by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). It will be the first production wind site when it eventually gets built. Proposed at 58.5 MW, with 45 turbines. It is 50% owned by Stothert Power Corp of Vancouver and 50% by Global Renewable Energy Partners which is in turned owned by Vestas, which dominates the world's wind turbine business. EAO Company

2. The Sea Breeze Energy Knob Hill project, also on the north of Vancouver Island, has EAO approval, but has no customer. Until the Knob Hill project gets a contract with BC Hydro (or some other customer - unlikely, I think) it won't get built. It's 450 MW with 150 turbines - though by the time it gets built, the technology may have progressed considerably. Sea Breeze Power Corp (SBX on the TSE-Ventures Exchange) has a large presence in BC wind energy circles, but to date has no actual projects on the ground - like the other three listed here. EAO Company

3. A company called Nomis Power Corp has a new application into the EAO for the Nahwitti Wind Power project, again on the north of Vancouver Island. Interestingly, the contact for Nomis is Russ Hellberg, former mayor of Port Hardy, and a strong proponent of offshore oil and gas development. Starting at 50 MW and growing to 400 MW, the project expects to begin with 25 turbines. EAO

4. The Nai Kun Wind Farm, proposed off the northeast coast of Haida Gwaii, in Hecate Strait intersect, is the only offshore wind project that I am aware of. It's taking a long time to get moving, and has big challenges, but it is the most exciting of the four. It is large - 700 MW - and has a big additional expense getting power onto the grid. The proponent just announced an agreement with the Council of the Haida Nation - which brings the Haida in as an equity participant, allows the company to install wind and seabed testing equipment, and ensures that the project won't be encumbered by Aboriginal Title and Rights claims. It also has an application before the EAO. The company estimates 140 to 235 turbines. Nai Kun Wind Development is owned by Uniterre Resources (UNT on the TSE-V) EAO Company