Chatham-Kent council has voted down two proposed wind energy projects near Ridgetown but approved a solar development, following a lengthy debate Monday night over renewable energy expansion in the municipality.
Council denied support agreements for the Botany Wind Project, northwest of Ridgetown, and the Crossfield Wind Farm, northeast of Ridgetown. Both projects had sought municipal backing as part of the provincial approval process.
East Kent Councillor Morena McDonald introduced unsuccessful motions in support of the wind proposals, as well as amendments she described as “insurance” for residents with concerns for impacts to their water wells.
The proposed amendment called for developers to implement groundwater and vibration monitoring programs similar to those established for the North Kent Wind 1 Project, in order to track any potential effects on wells and nearby properties.
The amendment read in part: “The proponent agree to develop and undertake a Groundwater Monitoring Program, including a Contingency Plan, prior to the commencement of the construction of the Wind Facility for all active water wells within the Project Study Area and for all active water wells that are outside of the Project Study Area and located within 1 km from each piece of individual equipment of the Wind Facility, with permission from each individual landowner. The Proponent shall also agree to develop and undertake a Ground-borne Vibration Monitoring Program prior to any pile-driving activities and blasting activities at the Project Location.”
While council rejected the wind projects, it approved a third proposal — the Ridgetown 1 Solar Project from FLT Energy Inc. The solar plan includes two installations on vacant municipal land: a 6.5-megawatt site off Mitton Line in Ridgetown and a 2.4-megawatt site off Elm Street West in Bothwell.
According to a staff report, municipal support is a required step before renewable developers can advance to the provincial Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for consideration. The report, prepared by Bruce McAllister, general manager of development services, noted that Ontario’s electricity system “must accelerate at an unprecedented pace” to meet forecasted demand increases of up to 75 per cent by 2050.
“To address Ontario’s growing electricity needs, the IESO has initiated several electricity supply acquisition mechanisms, including the Long-Term 2 (LT2) procurement process,” McAllister stated in the report. “The LT2 Request for Proposal seeks to procure new supply resources and will include multiple proposal submission windows that will be run on approximately an annual basis.”
McAllister added that the LT2 process is open to a range of technologies, including wind, solar, bioenergy, hydroelectric and energy storage, and that successful projects would be awarded 20-year contracts.
Also during Monday’s meeting, Chatham Councillor Amy Finn introduced a notice of motion calling for the municipality to formally oppose any new wind turbine projects within Chatham-Kent.
Her motion cited resident concerns about noise, health, and water quality, as well as gaps in the enforcement of noise and complaint standards under existing Renewable Energy Approvals.
Finn’s motion also noted the municipality has yet to receive a response from the Ministry of Health regarding its May 2023 letter about the All Hazard Investigation.
The motion asks that council adopt a policy stating it “does not support the establishment of any new wind turbine projects within the municipality,” and directs administration to advise the IESO and potential applicants of that position.
