International Power Canada, a company that manages an array of power business services such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), natural gas, cogeneration and electric power generation in Canada, Mexico and United States, meeting the power requirement of industrial and commercial clients, is readying to begin the building of its Cape Scott Wind Farm. The 99 MW wind farm lies around 40 km west of Port Hardy, over Vancouver Island’s northeast coast in British Columbia.
Presently, site assessment work is being carried out at the Cape Scot wind form known as Knob Hill Wind Farm, preceding the purchase of the wind power project by International Power Canada from Sea Breeze Power, in June this year. The other project related works such as construction of the needed road connectivity and the infrastructure is anticipated to commence after receiving the needed environmental permits in October.
The wind power project estimated to require an investment of over $300 million will incorporate 55 Vestas V100 1.8 MW wind turbines over 350 ha of area exterior of Cape Scott National Park in a swamp location of the island. The first ever project of the company in the province is anticipated to commence its commercial operations in spring of 2013. The power generated from the facility will be traded to BC Hydro under a power purchase agreement for a period of 20 years.
The construction of the wind farm is anticipated to generate around 150 jobs during its peak construction period and 12 permanent job positions in its maintenance and operation segments afterwards. The project is anticipated to bring in economic benefits worth $25 million during its construction period.