Wind Power Project proposed for R.M. of Snipe Lake

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

The region of Eston, Sask. and the Rural Municipality of Snipe Lake has received a proposal for a wind project by PNE Canada Inc. Lucas Duffield, PNE’s project manager and business development representative for projects in Western Canada, filled in the details of the project.

The company’s services encompass all the phases of developing and operating wind farms. In addition to wind energy, the company’s range of offers includes photovoltaics (solar), electricity storage, service products and the supply of clean electricity. PNE Canada Inc.’s Saskatchewan projects have not yet received approval from SaskPower to construct and connect to the grid.

Duffield explained, “The approval and connection process involves our projects being selected by SaskPower as the successful proponent in their procurement process. PNE Canada’s Saskatchewan projects are being reviewed alongside other wind developers project by SaskPower. The review of these proposals will be made public when SaskPower selects the successful project.”

The proposed wind project size near Eston, Saskatchewan, is 50MW to 100MW, which would consist of anywhere between 8 to 18 turbines. The size of the project and number of turbines has yet to be determined and is based on a number of factors, including the final turbine model that is selected by the developer and the size of the project that is selected in the procurement process.

According to Duffield, the region of Eston is favourable for a wind project because there is a high and consistent wind resource. That alone does not determine a favourable site for wind development, though. Further factors are proximity to existing grid infrastructure, a compatible environment and existing use of land, and community acceptance.

Although there are other proposed wind developments around the Rural Municipality of Snipe Lake, this is the first wind development proposed in the Rural Municipality of Snipe Lake.

“Participation in a wind project is not compulsory,” Duffield said. It is a requirement that all landowners involved with wind projects in Saskatchewan provide their approval before construction.

“We cannot disclose the number of landowners involved in the project or their personal beliefs or motives for participation in the project,” Duffield noted. “The amount of land used for the project has yet to be determined. We will have a better understanding of the amount of land available for a potential project after our environmental surveys and studies are conducted in the proposed project area. The first round of these surveys and studies will be complete between quarter one and quarter four of 2021.”

The project has begun development. Suppose a developer is selected by SaskPower and receives final approval from the Province of Saskatchewan to initiate construction. In that case, the wind project plans to be operational sometime in late 2023 to early 2024.

“Most turbines are sited from occupied residences at a distance of 750m-1000m, but it is entirely dependent on the project layout and project area. Turbines will be sited from residences and infrastructure such as power lines, water lines, gas lines, etc., in accordance with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment regulation, as well as in consideration of local environmental and social sensitivities,” Duffield explained.

“Approval for wind projects in Saskatchewan are required by various levels of government. Municipal bylaws for wind energy projects exist in most municipalities throughout the province. Amendments to existing bylaws around wind energy projects may be required to ensure that the proposed project infrastructure is in line with the bylaw requirements. RM approval and relevant zoning will be required for the project,” Duffield concluded.

Should the project proceed, local contractors and their services in constructing a wind energy project would include but are not limited to welders, electricians, fuel hauling, gravel hauling, concrete pouring, crane operators, environmental and land service providers and excavation services.