The North Cape Wind Farm will soon be harvesting clean, renewable energy. The Wind Farm, a multi-million dollar project of the PEI Energy Corporation was officially opened today at North Cape, PEI.
Eight utility-grade windmills generating an expected 16.6 million kilowatt-hours per year of electrical power have been constructed next to the existing Atlantic Wind Test Site at North Cape. The "green power" is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 13,000 tonnes per year.
"This project re-affirms PEI's commitment to developing environmentally friendly sources of energy," said Mike Currie, Minister of Development for Prince Edward Island. "Our government is proud to be a leader in the promotion and development of wind power and we look forward to supporting efforts to further develop markets for renewable energy."
The power will be sold to Maritime Electric Company Limited for distribution, at a premium price, to provincial and Government of Canada offices in the province. The premium will be returned to the PEI Energy Corporation. The wind power would displace electricity otherwise produced from high-carbon sources that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Today's launch was also attended by Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Gail Shea, MLA for Tignish–Deblois. Minister Shea said the wind farm will also serve as a tourism destination.
"Our plan is to name the eight turbines after the eight founding families of the Tignish area," said Minister Shea. "By incorporating the local theme, this site will also significantly impact on the cultural and tourism development of the area."
Minister Shea also stated plans were underway for a "Name the Wind Farm" contest, open to all students in the Westisle family of schools.
The windmills were purchased from a Danish company, Vesta-Canadian Wind Technologies, Inc. Electricity has already begun to flow.
In order to transmit the power generated at the site, a new transmission line has been constructed from the Alberton Substation to North Cape. Maritime Electric is developing a green power program to market to customers the electricity produced by the wind farm not being used by provincial and federal government offices.