Five of the 48 turbines that make up the Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project. (Photo Courtesy Kevin Kyle)

By Chris Brown

Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project officially opened

Sep 28, 2023 | 3:14 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – A blustery day in southeastern Alberta greeted people for the official completion celebration of a massive wind farm in Cypress County.

Cory Basil, a regional senior VP for EDF Renewables, says the day is a huge milestone.

“The project is 247 megawatts of clean renewable power. It will service approximately 120,000 plus homes in the area relying on that clean renewable power,” he said following a ribbon cutting on Thursday. “So we’re happy to be able to provide that clean electricity to the region and to the area and to the province of Alberta.”

The Cypress 1 and 2 Wind Projects are a partnership between EDF, Kainai/Blood Tribe and Desjardins Group Pension Plan.

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It’s built on the traditional territory of the Kainai/Blood Tribe on the west side of Highway 41 south on the way to Elkwater.

“Ensuring Indigenous Communities participate and benefit from economic development projects on their traditional territories, and beyond, is an important step toward breaking down barriers that stand in the way of achieving economic reconciliation,” said Chief Roy Fox of Kainai/Blood Tribe in a statement.

EDF also a proposed wind farm, in the permitting stage, south of Irvine called the Bull Trail Wind Farm, signalling the company’s confidence in the industry and the region.

“It provides low, very low-cost renewable energy, amongst the lowest. Wind power is amongst the lowest cost renewable energy today,” Basil said, noting the Cypress 1 and 2 Project is partial contract and partial merchant. “I don’t know what the future holds for how projects will move forward today but I feel like this is a very active market and there’s a lot of opportunity here for renewables.”

The completed construction comes with 10 permanent jobs and continued contracting opportunities for local companies.

“This new wind project is in line with Cypress County’s Municipal Development Plan, and one of many diverse business opportunities we’ve seen enter our region in recent years,” said Reeve Dan Hamilton. “We look forward to seeing EDF Renewables continue to work with the community in a positive way, developing renewable energy while also being accountable and listening to ratepayers.”

EDF has supported various initiatives in the county, including the Dunmore Equestrian Society, Dunmore Community Association, Irvine School Parent Council, Irvine Minor Hockey Association and Eagle Butte High School.