A two-phase wind farm project is being proposed for North Kent.
The project by Samsung and Pattern Energy could lead to an additional 90 wind turbines being constructed in the former Dover and Chatham Townships.
Chatham-Kent staff is recommending that both phases of the project be approved by council.
After completing the South Kent Wind project last March, Samsung and Pattern informed Chatham-Kent staff they were moving forward with the North Kent Wind project.
A staff report indicates that phase one of the project will be approximately 100 megawatts and consist of approximately 40 to 50 turbines.
The turbines would be constructed on private land, and the design, specifications and layout are still under development.
The project will be subject to the Renewable Energy Approval process, a permitting process which evaluates projects for environmental, social and archaeological impacts, a staff report says.
The second phase is dependent upon an award by the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO.)
If it proceeds, it will also be of a size between 50 to 100 megawatts and between 20 and 40 turbines.
Staff says Samsung and Pattern have offered the Municipality the option to purchase a “15% equity interest” in the North Kent Wind Projects, as an additional community benefit.
“Administration has undertaken a review of this opportunity and is recommending that this equity investment opportunity be entered into by Entegrus Inc., which is 90% owned by the Municipality,” a staff report says.
The potential property tax revenue from the project would be approximately $250,000 per year.
John Norton, the chief legal officer for Chatham-Kent and Tomo Matesic from Entegrus Inc. will be presenting to council on Monday about the proposed project.
Watch for more on this story.
R U kiddin’ me, who is the C-K staff
Chatham Kent used to be a real nice area-I even thought I might like to retire there -thank goodness
I didn’t – the place looks like hell now.
Will there be any farm land left when they are done?
Last year we paid more than $1Billion to get rid of excess power. Even if the Provincial Government is to corrupt or too stupid to stop this insanity at least at a local level we can and should do everything in our power to stop the madness. http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/01/20/ontario_paid_1_billion_to_dump_excess_electricity_in_2013_ndp.html
Which ever councilor votes for this project to go through is obviously on Samsung and patterns cash payroll. I would hope Chatham kent councilor would for once vote for what the citizens want which is no turbines. Makes me sick. Please vote liberal more………
I want to know which councilors vote yes on this, they will most definitely not be receiving my vote should this go through. The turbines aren’t even taxed accordingly no matter what anybody says, they pay less tax as a power generating facility then I pay as a resident. We put up major eye sores, on prime farm land and charge all the residents out the nose to pay for this mess. When is enough, enough!
WOW! GLAD I DID SOME READING ABOUT THIS . WAS GOING TO PURCHASE A NEW HOME THERE .GUESS NOT NOW! SEEMS UR ELECTED OFFICALS CERTAINLY ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR. I WISH ALL RESIDENTS THE BEST AND HOPE UR INVESTMENTS IN UR HOMES DONT LOSE TO MUCH VALUE. SURE THEY WONT !!!!!!!!!!!