Toronto-based Potentia Renewables Inc. is celebrating the groundbreaking of its 200 MW Golden South Wind Project in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, featuring Goldwind permanent-magnet direct-drive turbines.
Located approximately 140 kilometers southwest of Regina, the C$325 million project was the successful proponent of a recent SaskPower request for proposals. Potentia has executed a 200 MW, 25-year power purchase agreement with SaskPower to supply both energy and environmental credits.
“We are pleased to start the construction of this exciting project,” says Jeff Jenner, CEO of Potentia Renewables. “The cooperation that we received from local and provincial organizations, along with SaskPower, the utility and off-taker of the energy, has enabled us to accelerate our plans and target commercial operation at the end of 2020. This project provides SaskPower with the lowest-cost renewable energy in Canada for 25 years.”
The wind farm is expected to create more than 220 jobs during construction, as well as 10 permanent jobs once it becomes operational.
“Increasing renewable capacity is a major component of our provincial climate change strategy, Prairie Resilience, and this project will bolster SaskPower’s efforts toward meeting our goal of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions 40 percent by 2030,” adds Dustin Duncan, minister responsible for SaskPower. “Through investments such as this, we can rise to meet the challenges of climate change while also creating good jobs and growing the local economy.”
The project will use 50 of Goldwind’s latest wind turbine series, the 4S MW platform, offering a scalable rated capacity from 4.2 MW to 4.5 MW and 136- and 155-meter rotor diameters. Goldwind will also provide long-term maintenance services and a comprehensive warranty package.
