Commercial wind developments – including Enbridge’s proposed Seven Stars Energy Project – are subject to environmental, regulatory, and permitting reviews involving three levels of government before they can proceed to the construction stage.
“The regulatory process includes multiple opportunities for public input and is designed to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible development by requiring various permits, licenses, and adherence to specific standards,” explains Alex McNichol, Director, Power Business Development with Enbridge. “This multi-tiered approach aims to protect public safety and the environment, and to manage resources in a way that balances economic benefits with social and environmental considerations.”
Enbridge plans to construct and operate facilities capable of generating 200 megawatts of wind energy from 46 turbines – enough to power 100,000 Saskatchewan homes annually. During construction and over its projected 30-year operating lifespan, the Seven Stars Energy Project is expected to create more than $100 million ($3.4 million to $4 million annually) in estimated economic benefits for the Weyburn region.
This includes tax revenue for local municipalities, lease payments to landowners in the project area, employee salaries, third-party contracting for maintenance and upkeep of Enbridge office facilities, and an Enbridge fund to support community-driven programs and initiatives.
Robust permitting and regulatory processes
But before construction can begin on a project of the scale and impact of Seven Stars, Enbridge must navigate robust permitting and regulatory processes.
From a municipal perspective, the Seven Stars project requires separate development permits from the Rural Municipality (RM) of Weyburn and the RM of Griffin. These permits are essential for the project to proceed and involve public hearings. Local residents and stakeholders will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and provide input during these hearings, ensuring that community perspectives are considered in the decision-making process.
At the federal level, the project will be reviewed by Nav Canada and Transport Canada. These organizations assess the project's implications for air navigation and transportation safety, ensuring the wind turbines do not interfere with any existing aviation routes or infrastructure.
Provincially, the project will undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a comprehensive process that involves third-party studies commissioned by Enbridge to examine the project's impact on local wildlife, vegetation, wetlands, and watercourses. “The EIA process is designed to identify any significant environmental concerns and propose measures to address them, just as we see with larger conventional energy developments such as oil sands or liquified natural gas projects,” McNichol says.
The EIA process is one of the most important steps toward securing project approval. For the Seven Stars project, the EIA falls under the oversight of the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment’s Assessment and Stewardship Branch.
Comprehensive study of environmental impacts
In fact, the Ministry has just announced the first step in the EIA process, by making available an Environmental Terms of Reference (ToR) document on its website. The ToR outlines the studies Enbridge will undertake and how information will be presented and evaluated in a forthcoming Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. The ToR and EIS are key pieces of the EIA process.
“Essentially, the Terms of Reference set the stage for the province’s environmental review, defining what needs to be assessed, how data will be collected, and the specific regulations and guidelines that must be adhered to. It also provides an overview of the project along with construction, operation, and decommissioning activities,” explains McNichol. “Meanwhile, the EIS will contain the results of our environmental studies, outline mitigation measures, and provide a full picture of how Enbridge plans to address potential environmental impacts through the life of the Seven Stars project.”
Environmental Terms of Reference now available
Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Seven Stars project outlines the studies Enbridge will undertake and how information will be presented and evaluated in a forthcoming Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The ToR also provides a high-level overview of the project along with construction, operation, and decommissioning activities.
To access the ToR:
· Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment’s website and search "Terms of Reference Seven Stars"
· Visit enbridge.com/sevenstars and scroll to the ‘Regulatory Information’ tab
This summer and into early fall, environmental crews will be out in the field to complete additional studies to inform the EIS while consultation with landowners continues toward development of a proposed final project layout – specifically where the turbines will be placed.
Enbridge aims to submit the EIS to the Ministry late this year or in 2026. During the assessment process, the EIS will be made available to the public to review and comment over a 30-day period.
Open and transparent process
“The process is open and transparent, and that’s important to Enbridge,” McNichol adds. “The province determines what studies and information must be provided by Enbridge. We will provide answers in our EIS, and the public will have an opportunity to review the statement and provide input and comments to the Ministry.”
With all government approvals in hand, including the EIS and local development permits, and a final investment decision by the Enbridge board of directors, construction would commence in the third quarter and 2026, and the Seven Stars project would begin operations in late 2027.
“As we move forward with the project, Enbridge is committed to meeting the requirements of the RMs and all regulatory bodies throughout the review process,” McNichol concludes. “We have made significant enhancements to the project based on local input and will continue to engage the community to ensure the Seven Stars Energy Project meets the highest standards of environmental responsibility and community engagement.”
