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While Hamilton city councillors debate the pros and cons of a proposed solar farm in Mountsberg, residents of Haldimand County remain divided over the benefits of two massive green energy projects in their community.
Samsung’s solar and wind projects are now fully operational. But as Donna Skelly reports, they’re generating both power and pushback in the community.
They are part of the Ontario governments Green Energy Act, part of that 4 billion dollar deal inked with South Korean giant Samsung. Grand River Wind – 67 Canadian made turbines, scattered across 80 acres of land in Haldimand County have been turning since February. They are generating 150 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 50 thousand homes.
Nearby is Grand River Solar – 430 thousand solar panels stretched across a thousand acres of land powering close to 17 thousand homes. When Samsung announced plans to build the projects, residents raised concerns about health, decreased property values and a loss of farmland. Those concerns continue today. Toby Barrett is a local farmer and longtime MPP. “To take six or ten farms and convert them completely to solar at this point, when the technology isn’t there yet. It doesn’t make sense. I mean we place a higher value on food than putting up solar panels.”
Another concern is the cost of going green. A cost passed on to the ratepayer. Murry Dekoning is a local business owner. “I am not against green energy. Only as a business operator am I against increased energy costs.”
No one from Samsung was available to speak on camera but they sent a statement. They said that members of the Haldimand Community were very welcoming to them and green energy initiatives. And they said in a first in Ontario, they entered into an agreement with Six Nations for ten percent equity in both projects.
Projects that, like them or not, will be around for the next 20 years.
