The proposed wind turbine locations as part of the Burchill Wind Project in the Lorneville area. (Image: Brad Perry)
The proposed $60-million Burchill Wind Project in west Saint John is moving along, according to the CEO of Saint John Energy.
Ray Robinson announced another milestone for the project during the utility’s annual general meeting Thursday.
“The project has successfully passed through the environmental impact assessment process and we are looking forward to a year that will include Natural Forces building roads and foundations,” said Robinson.
Natural Forces, a partner in the project, plans to build 10 wind turbines and sell the power back to Saint John Energy.
The project will be located in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park in Lorneville and will be the city’s first wind farm.
The 42-megawatt project is expected to generate about 15 per cent of Saint John Energy’s electricity needs, according to Robinson.
Robinson said the utility will install a distribution connecting the wind farm to the Saint John Energy grid through to the new substation on Paradise Row.
Last August, Saint John council approved a $15-million loan to Saint John Energy to fund distribution lines from the wind farm to the utility’s distribution system.
The Burchill Wind Project is now expected to come online at the end of 2022 after a delay caused by the pandemic.
The utility has estimated the reduced energy rate would add $4 million to its bottom line each year, and it would receive the energy at a locked-in rate for 25 years.
“With the wind being the cheapest form of new energy generation available today, Burchill will provide Saint John Energy and our customers with clean energy while safeguarding stable power rates,” said Robinson.
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