scope of new central p.e.i. wind farm grows, addition will power an extra 1,000 homes
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the wejipek wind project, near middleton, was initially set to consist of three turbines to power around 4,000 homes. it has since expanded, and there are now plans for a fourth turbine, powering around 5,000 homes.
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a wind farm going up in central p.e.i. will be larger than initially planned.
located near middleton, the wejipek wind project was set to consist of three turbines, which would produce enough power for 4,000 homes. but after an evaluation of the property, it was determined there would be space for four turbines, which can power 5,000 homes.
the project is the result of a partnership between natural forces, a producer of renewable energy projects, and lennox island first nation.
tess donohue, project manager with natural forces, said the organization had wanted the wind farm to be a larger project, and she’s happy to see it grow.
“the three-turbine project, when we had submitted the environmental assessment, we were looking at a total of 18 megawatts,” said donohue.
“so, each turbine would be six megawatts. we’re still looking at the same turbine type, but they’ve actually advanced the technology, so it went up from 6 to 7 megawatts, without having to increase the physical size of the turbines or make any changes.”
that puts the wind farm at generating around 28 megawatts of power.
donohue added that, in expanding, the organization wants to make sure they are balancing the development’s environmental impact with the power generated.
“we were looking, and found some more farm land very close to the original site that would be suitable for one more turbine,” said donohue.
“it was just a great opportunity to be able to provide more renewable energy without much more of a significant impact on the area.”
a wind farm planned near middleton, p.e.i., has added an extra turbine. the wejipek wind project will now consist of four turbines, versus the original three.
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at the time of speaking to the journal pioneer in mid-june, donohue said they had recently received approval for the fourth turbine. as they get the site ready for early site work, they are also looking to see if there are any possibilities for future growth, as well.
“we’re continuing assessments in the area to see if there is a possibility to eventually expand it up to probably six total, an extra two,” said donohue. “but that’s still in the preliminary stages.”
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donohue said construction is expected to start in 2027, with the turbines being delivered by spring 2028 and the wind farm generating power by the end of that year.
“we’re really excited,” said donohue. “we’re feeling quite positive about it. it’s a project that we’ve been working on for a number of years, working very, very closely with lennox island. they’ve been incredible partners for us.”
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joan mulligan, who lives in kinkora, just a few kilometres from the wejipek project, supports it. while she hasn’t attended any of the open houses for the community to come by and learn about the wind farm, she knows about it through mailers that have gone out to nearby residents.
“my understanding of wind farms is that they are a good thing,” she said. “less fossil fuels. and p.e.i. and the maritimes (have) a lot of wind. i think it’s a good kind of energy.”
she joked that there always seems to be a breeze in the area, including when speaking to the journal pioneer on july 3.
“and of course, there’s lots of wind farms on the island already,” said mulligan. “so, it’s not like it’s a brand new thing. we know it’s a good thing.”
for those who wish to learn about the wejipek wind project, there will be another drop-in style open house at the albany community centre on july 8 from 4 to 7 pm.
kristin gardiner is a reporter for the journal pioneer in prince edward island. she can be reached at kgardiner@postmedia.com.
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