The company behind the proposed $60-million Burchill Wind Project in the Lorneville area of Saint John will hold a third open house on Thursday.
Natural Forces wants to build up to 10 wind turbines along the existing Burchill Road and sell the generated power back to Saint John Energy.
Amy Pellerin, a senior development manager with the Halifax-based company, said residents will learn more about the proposed new layout for the project.
“We have about 13 locations picked [for the turbines] but the project is only going to be a 10-turbine project, so we’re presenting some of the different options that we can have for the different turbines,” said Pellerin in a phone interview.
“That’s a response to the environmental surveys that were done and through the environmental impact assessment process and the feedback we’ve been getting from the province on that, as well as our wind resource assessment.”
Pellerin said staff will also outline the new project timeline, which has been delayed by nine to 12 months due to COVID-19.
Construction is now expected to begin in 2021 with the turbines being commissioned the following year.
On Monday, Saint John council approved a $15-million dollar loan to Saint John Energy to fund distribution lines from the wind farm to the utility’s distribution system.
The utility estimates the reduced energy rate would add $4 million to its bottom line each year, and they would receive the energy at a locked-in rate for 25 years.
Following the open house, Pellerin said their next big hurdle is to get their environmental impact assessment approves, which she hopes will be done before the end of the year.
“We’ve been doing a lot of bird studies and bat studies and we’ve done several rounds of wetland and vegetation surveys and archaeological potential walkovers,” she said.
Another open house is planned will take place just before the construction to present a final timeline and let residents know what to expect in terms of tree-clearing activities and truck movements, said Pellerin.
Because of COVID-19, Pellerin said there will be some precautions in place during the open house.
“Mandatory masks for those entering the community centre, we’ll be doing some more social distancing inside and outside the venue, and we’re also going to be limiting the number of people inside,” she said.
Thursday’s open house will take place at the Lorneville Community Centre from 3 to 7 p.m.
Those who are unable to attend can find more information on Natural Force’s website or by contacting Pellerin at apellerin@naturalforces.ca or 902-422-9663.
Natural Forces developed the first wind farm in New Brunswick and currently has two additional wind energy projects under construction near Sussex and Richibucto.