Whitla Wind Project approved; construction underway

WHITLA, AB — A major wind energy project in the County of 40 Mile has received the green light for construction for the Alberta Utilities Commission.

The Whitla Wind Project, designed and operated by Capital Power, was approved by the commission on August 30, and crews are currently on site working to create access roads for equipment.

“It’s a huge milestone,” said Jerry Bellikka, director of government relations with Capital Power. “We’re delighted to have received approval from the commission.”

The project, announced by the province in December 2017, will provide 201.6 megawatts of power to the grid once it’s completed in Fall 2019.

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Bellikka adds it was important to get the shovels in the ground for the project quickly, noting work started on Monday.

“The response from the community has been very, very welcoming,” he said. “We’re really excited to be working with the Town of Bow Island, the County of 40 Mile, the people of Foremost as well to bring the project forward. The landowners have been tremendously cooperative, and everybody has been looking forward to getting things going.”

As part of the approval, one of the conditions is for Capital Power to monitor the impact the project could have on wildlife in the area.

Bellikka says the immediate goal is to have an electric substation and the operations building completed before the winter, with significant work on the site resuming in the spring.