THUNDER BAY — Members of the public are getting their first opportunity to learn details and ask questions about a proposed wind farm north of the city.
The Canadian subsidiary of France-based EDF, one of the largest electrical utilities in the world, has partnered with Fort William First Nation and Red Rock Indian Band to develop a 35-turbine, 200 megawatt facility called the Northern Breeze Wind Project.
Site evaluations are still underway, but the study area includes a large swath of unincorporated territory mostly east of Jacques Township, and east and northeast of Pike Lake Road, where a mast was erected last year to measure wind speed.
It is one of two wind projects approved for the Thunder Bay and Nipigon areas earlier this year by the Independent Electricity System of Ontario.
The developers will hold a public meeting on Oct. 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Oliver Road Community Centre.
A written copy of the draft description of the project is now available for public inspection at the Lappe Ski Centre on Kam Current Road, and on the project website.
The timing is not set in stone, but assuming favourable environmental studies and the completion of the approvals process, the wind farm could begin producing electricity in late 2029, according to the latest project update.
It has a projected life span of 20 years.
