Nova Scotia wind farm gets environmental approval

SaltWire Network | Posted: March 20, 2023, 

A wind farm in Guysborough County received environmental approval on Monday. - File

 A proposed wind farm in Guysborough County got approval from Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman on Monday.

The Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind Partnership applied for an environmental assessment of the project in January.  

Plans calls for the construction of 29 turbines, which would collectively produce 130.5 megawatts to diversify the energy mix that powers the Port Hawkesbury paper facility.

The turbines will be up to 195 metres tall and individually produce up to 4.5 MW.  

The project centre is seven kilometres northeast of Lincolnville and 7.4 kilometres southeast of Mattie Settlement.

Construction is slated to begin this summer or fall, with the turbines predicted to be operational for 25 years, beginning in 2025.

Before work can begin, the company must submit a wildlife management plan dealing with any potential impact the project might have on birds, bats and mainland moose, including monitoring bird and bat deaths caused by the turbines for two years. Other conditions of the approval pertain to noise levels and shadow flicker.

Public comments on the registration were accepted until Feb. 27, and all comments received from the public consultation are posted at the Environment Department’s website.