Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. and Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Development) have announced that North Kent Wind, a 100 MW wind facility in Ontario, has completed construction and is now fully operational.
Located in the municipality of Chatham-Kent, the project is expected to generate enough clean energy to meet the electricity needs of approximately 35,000 Ontario homes annually. The facility operates under a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator.
North Kent Wind uses 34 Siemens Gamesa 3.2 MW turbines with towers and blades that were made in Ontario. During its peak of construction, North Kent Wind employed approximately 175 workers, 100% of which were from Ontario, with the majority from the local area. The facility has approximately 10 permanent employees for ongoing operations and maintenance, in addition to a number of local contractors.
“North Kent Wind marks our sixth operational wind power facility in Ontario, totaling more than one GW of capacity, enough to power more than 400,000 homes each year,” notes Mike Garland, president and CEO of Pattern Development.
Samsung and Pattern Development are providing C$4 million to Chatham-Kent as a community benefit contribution to be used at the sole discretion of municipal council. In addition, the facility is estimated to generate approximately C$5 million in tax revenue over 20 years. In total, North Kent Wind will inject more than C$40 million of direct spending into the local economy over 20 years, including taxes, community benefits, landowner payments and facility spending, the developers predict.
The municipality of Chatham-Kent also holds a 15% equity interest in North Kent Wind through its affiliate Entegrus Renewable Energy Inc. In addition, Bkejwanong First Nation, also known as Walpole Island First Nation, holds a 15% equity interest.
