GE Energy Financial Services and Plutonic Power Corp. celebrated the official start of construction on the first phase of the 144 MW Dokie Wind Project. GE and Plutonic jointly contributed and arranged C$227.5 million of project equity and debt to finance the construction of the project, which is located 1,100 km northeast of Vancouver.
The construction contractor, Mortenson, has begun clearing roads to access the site and prepare foundations for the wind turbines. The project is expected to reach commercial operation by early next year and to create approximately 200 construction jobs, as well as permanent employment for operations and ongoing seasonal maintenance requirements.
Additionally, GE and Plutonic Power are preparing to undertake a feasibility study on the expansion of the Dokie Wind Project to 300 MW.
The Dokie Wind project is located in the traditional territories of seven First Nations. On behalf of the partnership, Plutonic has worked to understand the environmental, economic and social impacts of the projects with the First Nations and to build tangible relationships with all seven First Nations partners.
GE and Plutonic successfully concluded comprehensive memorandums of understanding with the Halfway River First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Saulteau First Nations and the McLeod Lake Indian Band in 2009 for the Dokie Wind project.
SOURCE: GE Energy Financial Services
