Samsung Renewable Energy, Pattern Energy and Capital Power Corp. officially dedicated the K2 Wind Power Facility in Ontario.
Powered by 140 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines, the K2 wind farm operates under a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator. The project reached commercial operation in May.
One of Canada’s largest wind power facilities, the 270 MW K2 Wind project is located in the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh in southwestern Ontario and is expected to generate clean energy for approximately 100,000 Ontario homes annually.
The commissioning of K2 Wind allowed Canada to surpass 10 GW of installed wind energy capacity, making it the seventh country in the world to reach this level of wind power capacity, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association.
The facility’s wind turbine components were manufactured in Ontario. A total of 700 turbine tower sections were produced in Windsor by CS Wind, and the 420 blades were built in Tillsonburg by Siemens, directly supporting over 800 manufacturing jobs in Ontario. K2 Wind expects to have approximately 20 full-time operations and maintenance employees, along with an additional 10 seasonal positions.Â
While in construction, K2 Wind was one of the largest infrastructure projects in Ontario. During its 18-month construction period, the project averaged over 300 workers on-site. At peak construction, more than 500 workers were employed by the project.Â
K2 Wind has created a Community Benefits Fund Agreement with the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh to deliver approximately $15 million in funding for community initiatives over the next 20 years. K2 Wind will also support local residents living near the facility through lease agreements and other benefits.
‘On behalf of the Council of the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, I would like to congratulate everyone who had a part in this long and complex project that created one of Canada’s largest wind-energy facilities,’ says Roger Watt, a town official. ‘We would especially like to thank K2 Wind for its commitment to the Community Benefits Fund. This will enable the township to undertake infrastructure-improvement and community-development projects over the next 20 years that we otherwise simply would not be able to pursue.’
