Construction can begin within two years of power purchase agreement. The construction period has been substantially reduced with advances in technology and engineering, resulting in lower construction costs and facilitating power up projects faster. A 400MW project would only require 33 wind turbines; a reduction of nearly 80 turbines from a decade ago.
Oceanic Wind Energy - Remarkable Offshore Wind Energy
This remarkable offshore wind resource can support B.C.’s commitment to develop clean, renewable, made-in-B.C. electricity and can significantly contribute to meeting our growing energy needs. Wind energy is a key part of the global shift to increase use of renewable energy and this project can help reduce our provincial and national greenhouse gas emissions. The completed project will result in the long-term investment in the communities of the north coast and provide lasting benefits. In addition to employment during the construction phase, there will be many long-term career positions related to the operations and maintenance of the project.
Cost-Effective
Significant improvements in technology have resulted in a substantial reduction in the cost of power from the project. With power production 97 percent of the time, a gross capacity factor of greater than 60%, and with many years of wind data showing 10 metres per second average wind speed, the project is poised to be a cost-effective and reliable addition to the province’s electricity system.
Benefits of the Project
As a made-in-B.C. sustainable energy resource for B.C.’s North Coast, the Project will:
Provide long-term, sustainable jobs, training, and economic benefits
The Project will provide for opportunities along B.C.’s north coast through construction and ongoing maintenance and monitoring employment opportunities, complemented by training and other ancillary benefits resulting from the project.
Provide a scalable, cost-effective, renewable resource that could be expanded as demand grows
Wind energy is one of the cleanest, most abundant and cost-effective resources we can use to generate power. It is also one of the fastest growing sources for electricity in the world and offshore wind projects such as this project are successfully operating in Europe, Asia and New England today. And offshore wind is one of the fastest growing renewable energy markets in the world, with great long-term potential to overtake other carbon-based sources of electricity. The Project can support B.C.’s commitment to develop clean, renewable, made-in-B.C. electricity and can make a significant contribution to meeting B.C.’s growing energy needs in the North West.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and contribute to cleaner industrial development
Historically many industries have depended on carbon based fuels for their electricity. The Project will contribute to meaningful and sustainable ways to mitigate impacts of industry in northern B.C.
Project Site
Located in Hecate Strait, between Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert on the British Columbia mainland, the Wind Energy Field harbours some of the strongest, most-consistent winds in the world.
The Wind turbines would be positioned offshore, southeast of Rose Spit. The Project will be connected to the mainland near Prince Rupert, and to Haida Gwaii, via submarine cables. The area offers the strong and consistent winds and shallow waters needed to accommodate offshore wind turbines.
Why offshore?
Wind over the water is generally stronger and more consistent than wind over land. With fewer obstructions such as hills, man-made structures and even trees, offshore wind produces more energy, more efficiently than onshore wind. Offshore projects are usually located at a greater distance from populated areas, and as such, are considered to have less visual impact. And much larger wind turbines can be constructed in the ocean to more efficiently harness the stronger and more consistent wind.
Project Timeline
Project implementation depends on a number of factors, including approvals, outreach and collaboration with partners, coast communities, First Nations, other stakeholders, and construction schedule.
To minimize weather downtime during construction, the foundation and turbine installation ideally occurs during spring through early fall. Given the significant advances in the technology and installation practices it may be quite possible to shorten the schedule to one season for turbine installation and one season in the water laying the transmission cable(s). This detailed schedule will be determined when the Project is approved and a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) is in place.
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