Joint venture partners Samsung Renewable Energy and Pattern Development expect to break ground in the coming months after Ontario regulators approved the 100MW Belle River wind project.
“We anticipate construction will commence in spring of 2016,” Samsung spokesperson Tim Smitheman told reNEWS.
The provincial approval authorizes installation of 41 Siemens SWT-3.2MW-113 turbines, however the proponents have yet to finalize a deal with any manufacturer.
Turbine deliveries will begin in spring 2017 with towers and blades manufactured in Ontario, said Smitheman.
Belle River, located in Essex County near the south shore of Lake St. Clair, will connect to the Hydro One network via a 230kV transmission line.
The project will generate an estimated C$220,000 in annual property taxes and employ about 200 workers during construction.
Samsung and Pattern bought the project in 2014 from GDF Suez Group.
The Belle River scheme forms part of Samsung’s C$5bn Green Energy Investment Agreement with the Ontario government, which includes 1069MW of wind projects and 300MW of solar.
The proponents’ 100MW North Kent 1 wind project has entered the REA process. Samsung aims to bring the final GEIA wind farm online in late 2017.
Image: St Joseph wind farm in Canada (Pattern)
Ontario OKs 100MW Belle River
Samsung, Pattern to break ground on onshore wind farm in coming months
By EBS