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Wind power project in Whitla awaiting Utilities Commission approval

Feb 7, 2018 | 2:31 PM

 

EDMONTON — The Whitla Power Project announced last year by Capital Power is currently awaiting approval from the province before shovels go into the ground.

“Right now, it’s pending the approval of the Alberta Utilities Commission, so we have to go through the Utilities Commission’s process to determine whether or not the project receives the Utilities Commission’s approval,” said Jerry Bellikka, director of government relations with Capital Power, over the phone from Edmonton. “That will be a process that they will look at cumulative effects of this project and two others that are nearby, and then they’ll give us a ruling on it at some point later this year.”

Bellikka says the company is hoping the approval of the commission will come before Fall 2018. He adds the other nearby wind projects being examined are being built by Suncor and Renewable Energy Sources (RES).

The Whitla Project, which would be built near Bow Island, was announced by the province in December. Once online, 56 turbines would provide 201 megawatts of electricity.

Bellikka says the company is hoping to break ground on the project in Fall 2018 if its approved, with the site being operation by the end of 2019. He says if given approval, the project will have benefits to the County of 40 Mile and the region.

“It’s a project that will bring in revenue for the County of 40 Mile, it will bring in some long-term certainty for landowners and there’s a number of economic benefits to the community,” he said. “It will be a 25 to 30 year project.”

Bellikka the company has a great relationship with the County of 40 Mile.

“We’re working really closely with them to bring the project forward and make sure the community gets some benefit from it as well,” he said.

Bellikka says at the peak of construction, more than 200 people would be employed. Once the project is up and running, an additional 10 people will be employed at the site.

If approved, the project would be online by the end of 2019.