[projekktor id=’23453′]
They’re hard to miss, towering over 120 metres above ground.
The project to build a 77-turbine wind farm in the Niagara area is on schedule, but for some residents the view is less than spectacular.
More than 30 turbines have gone up since construction started late last year.
The mayor’s office has been fielding questions and concerns from residents since the project was first proposed in 2011.
“Approximately 7000 trees will be cut down in the West Lincoln area. And we obviously have concerns, during the construction for a portion of this project, of our roads being torn up.” said Mayor of West Lincoln Douglas Joyner.
Farm wind region Niagara LP has agreed to give the township $460 000 per year for the next 20 years.
The township will get the first installment once the turbines are full operational.
The money will go into a community fund that could pay for repairs to roads and highways, improvements to police and fire services and building new recreational facilities.
“In the long term this was the decision that ultimately had to be made because at the end of the day the green energy act is here to stay and the industrial wind turbines are up. The transmission lines are up.” said Joyner.
Forty-four wind turbines will be scattered across the township of West Lincoln. 90% of construction is expected to wrap up in the beginning of August.
In order to meet that deadline, work on the turbines is allowed from 7 am to 11 pm , Monday to Saturday, but the company can also request to work as early as 6 am and as late as midnight.
The 230 megawatt industrial farm will also have turbines in Lincoln, Wainfleet and the Haldimand County and will replace energy Nanticoke used to create from its coal fire plants.
The farm will not only power those areas, but it will also be sent to Ontario’s power grid.
“There is absolutely nothing green about these wind turbines. All this stuff. The only thing green about these turbines is going to be the money.” said resident Stefanos Karatopis
The wind farm is expected to be fully operational this fall.
