Enbridge will be looking to continue its work on community engagement when it comes to the Seven Stars Wind Power Project.
In a media statement, Enbridge said their open house held earlier this month was the first chance they had to engage with the community when it comes to the design of the project, what the impacts of it could be, and to have a chance to get the public’s reaction to the project. They noted there is still work to do, as the community is seeking to learn more about the project, and they will be looking to address the concerns raised.
Enbridge stated, in a written response to questions about the project and the open house, that the job is expected to employ around 200 people in the Weyburn area during the construction phase, with roughly four to eight permanent jobs during the 30-year operating life of the project. The project will have anywhere from 35-50 turbines over the project area, which will be based on land in the RMs of Griffin, Weyburn, and Cymri. The wind project, when complete, is expected to generate around 200 megawatts of electricity, enough for the energy needs of roughly 100,000 homes.
Some of the concerns raised during the open house were regarding health and noise levels. Enbridge stated they take the health and noise concerns seriously, with protocols to be put in place to respond to those concerns. There will be setback guidelines in place for the turbines to address the health and safety of the public, whilst also ensuring the sound levels are acceptable. As Saskatchewan doesn’t have any regulations for noise when it comes to wind turbines, Enbridge has stated the project will operate using the guidelines laid out by the Alberta Utilities Commission.
Another concern raised during the open house concerned birds, and the impact the wind turbines would have on migratory patterns. In the answer to that question, Enbridge advised they design their wind projects to reduce the impacts on birds, with migratory paths and nesting patterns taken into consideration. As well, environmental studies are conducted on the sites of new wind farms, taking into account the bird and bat populations, with conservation plans developed to account for them.
In terms of economic benefits for the Weyburn area, Enbridge stated the project will provide tax revenue for the local area, with property taxes paid to the RMs of Griffin and Weyburn starting when the project begins operation in 2027, and money also going to the provincial education taxes starting in 2028.
A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow evening at McKenna Hall for those who are opposed to the wind farm. It will start at 7 p.m. The RM of Weyburn and the RM of Griffin have not provided comments on the issue at this time, and the Minister Responsible for SaskPower, Dustin Duncan, was not available for an interview on the issue.