The proposed North Kent Wind Project is getting the backing of Chatham-Kent Council to the tune of a 12-4 vote.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope realizes the wind project may be one of the last council can support as the municipality reaches its max level of 550 turbines, but he stresses those turbines bring future opportunities.
"It doesn't stop here," says Hope. "There's more opportunity in research and development and more jobs that can be created through [power] storage, which is a good business for Entegrus because again, everything Entegrus makes comes back to us."
In supporting the project, the municipality is set to receive $4-million from Samsung and Pattern should the companies secure financing for the project. Despite the financial incentives for the municipality, the mayor isn't surprised the project didn't get unanimous council support.
"No, I'm not disappointed. Not at all. It never has been unanimous support when we've done this. It's about consistency and we've been consistent with our numbers on this one," says Hope.
A further $500,000 would come to the municipality in building permit fees in the first phase of the project. The municipality also estimates phases one and two would generate $250,000 a year in property tax revenue.
Phase One would see 40 to 50 turbines built generating 100 megawatts of power while Phase Two will see a further 20 to 40 turbines generating 50 to 100 megawatts. The project still needs further regulatory approvals before construction can go ahead.
