Digby Wind Power Project: Frequently Asked Questions

>> WHY WIND ENERGY?

>> INTRODUCTION TO WIND POWER

>> INTRODUCTION TO WIND TURBINES

>> HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH WIND FARMS

>> NATURAL ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS OF WIND FARMS

>> THE DIGBY WIND POWER PROJECT

>> THE DIGBY WIND POWER PROJECT: COMMUNITY BENEFITS

>> THE DIGBY WIND POWER PROJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

>> MEET THE DIGBY PROJECT TEAM : QUESTION & ANSWERS DOWNLOADS

• Climate change. Rising energy prices. Energy security. Sustainability.

These are the factors motivating the Nova Scotia Department of Energy to increase the amount of clean, secure sources of renewable energy generated in Nova Scotia.

Wind will play a large role in our energy future for the following reasons:

• Nova Scotia has a world-class wind resource.

This has been verified by international and national reports and studies, as well as by wind developers who want to locate their projects in our province.

• The cost of wind energy is competitive with traditional sources of energy, and cheaper than most other forms of renewable energy.

Larger wind energy projects require a high up-front cost (for the equipment and construction), but the fuel is free.
The result is renewable energy generation that will not cause significant electricity price increases.

• Wind energy is clean and green.

Because of our heavy reliance on coal and other fossil fuels for electricity in Nova Scotia, every megawatt (MW) of wind power installed reduces our greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 2,500 tonnes per year.

It also provides enough clean energy for 350 – 400 Nova Scotian homes.

• Wind energy is local.

It is not purchased or imported from outside of the province; it is a natural, domestic source of energy.

Wind energy can benefit our communities by:

1. Improving air quality and reducing our impact on the global environment by avoiding fossil fuels,
2. Creating local investment (land leases, municipal taxes, site preparation, construction and maintenance), and
3. Creating demand for local labour

For more information about wind energy in Nova Scotia, please refer to: The Nova Scotia Department of Energy

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• What is a wind farm?

Wind farms bring together groups of wind turbines to produce enough electricity to power thousands of homes. The world's largest wind farm, located in Texas, consists of 421 turbines producing 735 Megawatts (MW) of electricity, which is enough energy to power approximately 205,800 homes. 

• Are there wind farms in Canada?

There about 85 wind farms in operation in Canada, and many more now under development.  Wind farms in Canada have a capacity of 2,500 MW – enough to power 671,000 homes or equivalent to about 1 percent of Canada’s total electricity demand.

• Are there wind farms in Nova Scotia?

Here are a few statistics on wind energy in Nova Scotia today:

Total number of turbines in Nova Scotia: 41

Installed wind power in Nova Scotia (July 2007): 59.26 MW

Total electricity generating capacity of NSPI: 2,293 MW

Wind energy currently accounts for around 1% of electricity produced in Nova Scotia, but that will change significantly in 2009.

Nova Scotia Power Inc. has announced a commitment to bring on 240 MW of new wind energy generation through the purchase of electricity generated at 8 new wind energy projects.

For more information about wind farms in Nova Scotia: >> read more

• Does wind energy produce jobs?

Wind energy projects create jobs in project development, manufacturing, construction, operations and maintenance. As of 2006, there were more than 100,000 people employed in the wind energy industry in Denmark, Germany and Spain. Currently in Canada, the construction phase of a wind farm development carries the most employment opportunities. There are also permanent jobs created in the operation and maintenance of wind farms.

• Is wind power reliable?

Yes.  The wind turbines that you see today are the result of decades of research and development. Thanks to these efforts, modern turbines are highly efficient. The science of wind turbine placement has advanced a great deal. The output of a wind farm can be predicted accurately well before a shovel hits the ground.

• Is wind energy expensive?

Wind energy is globally considered a source of clean and renewable energy that can now compete in cost with many conventional sources, such as natural gas and hydropower.  Wind energy related costs are expected to decline while the costs of other technologies (e.g., coal / gas) are expected to increase.

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• What is the output of the wind turbines (how much energy do they generate)? How many households can they service?

1 MW of wind energy is sufficient to service approximately 280 homes. The most common size of wind turbine is 1.5 MW, which provides sufficient energy to service approximately 420 homes.

• How tall are wind turbines?

Wind turbines typically have a hub height of 80 m and each blade is approximately 40 m length.

• What is used to make wind turbine foundations?

Turbine foundations are made from steel reinforced concrete.

• What is used to make wind turbine towers?

Turbine towers are made from steel.

• What is used to make wind turbine blades?

Wind turbine blades are made from fiberglass with ground wires to serve as lightning protection.

• What happens to the wind park when it is out of operation?

Wind turbines are removed from the ground.  The land is rehabilitated and brought back to its previous condition.  Where possible, all wind turbine materials are reused or recycled.

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• What is the significance of shadow flicker around wind farms?

Shadow flicker is commonly understood to be a rare effect of the sun shining on the blades of a wind turbine causing a shadow that may be cast at certain times of the day in certain seasons. Analysis has shown that shadow flicker at dwellings can occur, but for a very small percentage of the time (in the order of 0.5 percent of daytime hours). Additionally, no dwelling is less than 600 m from a turbine, thereby reducing the shadow intensity at the point of reception.

It is important to note that the distinctiveness of the shadow is greatly blurred with distance: the farther the turbine is from the receptor, the more out of focus the shadow flicker becomes. Additionally, for shadow flicker to occur the rotor has to be perpendicular to the "sun-receptor line of sight" and there has to be a clear line of sight between the turbine and the receptor (i.e. no obstruction from other houses, structures, forested patches, etc.).

SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. studies potential shadow flicker effects of wind turbines and develops wind farms in a fashion that minimizes such effects.

• Are there any health effects associated with wind turbines?

At present there are well over 10,000 wind turbines installed and operating in North America, and tens of thousands of people who live and work in proximity to these wind turbines. A large number of peer-reviewed scientific studies have been conducted on the health effects of wind turbines. For example the Government of Ontario has stated that no significant peer-reviewed studies have definitively showed any significant health or safety issues associated with living near wind farms.

• Does sound or vibration from wind turbines impact human health?

Peer-reviewed studies indicate that sound levels produced by turbines are similar to levels of commonly-heard sounds in the natural environment. Sound levels produced by turbines are below levels known to have an impact on human health. And while turbines do produce sound, wind projects are designed appropriately resulting in acceptable sound levels. At this time, there is little scientific basis to support allegations of negative impacts on human health or the environment.

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• Are there any impacts on birds and bats?

The impact of wind turbines on birds and bats is less significant than that of collisions with buildings, or natural predation. Typically, post-construction surveys and monitoring programs are conducted to confirm these expected low mortalities associated with wind farm operation.

A study reviewing the impact of wind farms on birds in the U.S. found that generally only two birds per turbine per year ever die in collisions with wind turbines.  This is far less than the millions of deaths per year associated with birds crashing into buildings and windows or colliding with other objects.

• Are there any impacts on soil?

All fluids used for the Digby Wind Power Project are non-PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) type, and PCB contamination will not be a concern.  Materials and any contaminated soil are removed to a suitable disposal facility.

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• What is the size of the Digby Wind Power Project?  How much energy will it produce?

The Digby Wind Power Project is 30 MW and it will provide sufficient energy to service approximately 10,000 homes. The Project will assist Digby and the province in general by creating a source of clean, renewable electricity generation locally. The Project is an overall contribution to clean energy options – replacing coal power & reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Who owns and operates the Digby Wind Power Project?

Through a Power Purchase Agreement with Nova Scotia Power, SkyPower will develop, own and operate the Digby Wind Power Project with Scotian WindFields Inc.

SkyPower is Canada's largest renewable energy developer with interests in more than 200 wind and solar projects at various stages of construction and development across Canada and select U.S. states, representing more than 11,000 MW of potential capacity. Working with local partners, SkyPower also has wind energy under development in India, and hydro projects under development in Panama.

Scotian WindFields Inc. was formed in January 2007 as a result of an agreement among eight Nova Scotian community-owned renewable energy companies formed under the CEDIF initiative. The Scotian WindFields Family consists of eight community-owned renewable energy companies that are focusing on wind energy development in Nova Scotia. Scotian WindFields Inc. is an operating company tasked with developing renewable energy projects for community investment.

• Where will this wind farm be located?

The Digby Wind Power Project is proposed to be located on over 2,000 acres of land in the Rossway-Gulliver’s Cove area of Digby Neck in Digby County, Nova Scotia. The site lies at the north east neck of the Digby spit, approximately 25 km west of the town of Digby.

• Where will the Digby Wind Power Project interconnect? Where will the Project’s substation be located?

SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. have plans for the Digby Wind Power Project to interconnect to the Nova Scotia’s Power System. The power to be generated by this wind project will go directly into the Conway substation. This substation serves the town of Digby, Digby Neck and surrounding areas.

• Does Digby have enough wind to power these machines?

SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. have been actively studying the wind at the Digby Wind Power site for over 2 years, and have installed monitoring equipment across the project area. Studies conducted by third party experts have indicated that Digby has an excellent wind regime to support a successful wind power project.

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• How many jobs will be created by the Digby Wind Power Project?

The Project is expected to create approximately 40 to 50 construction jobs and 3 to 5 highly skilled, full-time operations and maintenance jobs.

• Will SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. procure materials for the Digby Wind Power Project from local suppliers (i.e. equipment rental, materials, such as gravel and concrete, local labour wages, etc)?

SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. intends to work with local community members throughout the development of the Digby Wind Power Project in order to ensure that the local community benefits from the Project. SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. seeks to procure materials and components from local suppliers, where possible and competitive. In addition, where feasible, SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. works to provide local employment opportunities throughout the development of the Project.

• In addition to jobs, how will the local community benefit from construction and operation of the Digby Wind Power Project?

Construction and operation activities for the Digby Wind Power Project will likely generate all sorts of economic opportunities for the local community. Local businesses, such as shops, restaurants, hotels, motels and others will benefit from economic activity driven by new jobs in the local area.

• How will the Digby Wind Power Project affect tourism in Nova Scotia?

Wind energy has been shown to generate tourism for local communities. Some wind farms receive upwards of 60,000 visits a year. The benefits of even drawing a fraction of that amount of visitors to a community can be felt by many local businesses including shops, restaurants, hotels, motels, and others.

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• What sort of Environmental Assessment (EA) Study is done for the Digby Wind Project?

The Digby Wind Power Project will have a capacity exceeding 2 MW ; therefore, it is subject to environmental registration as a Class I Undertaking in accordance with the Nova Scotia Environment Act. In addition, the Project has one known trigger under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act due to the application for federal funding under the ecoEnergy for Renewable Power (EERP) program of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

For the EA, studies have been conducted to characterize the natural and socio-economic environment of the Project area, including:

·         Spring, summer, winter and fall avian monitoring (Q4 2007 up to Q3 2008);

·         Vegetation surveys (June and August 2008);

·         Aquatic surveys (September 2008);

·         Ambient sound monitoring (June 2008); and

·         Site visits to support the socioeconomic and visual impact assessments (June and November 2008).

In addition, the following studies were conducted to support the EA:

·         Archaeological and heritage resources review;

·         Noise impact study;

·         Visual impact assessment;

·         Shadow flicker modeling; and

·         Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study (“MEKS”).

Assessment of environmental impacts were done for the following: soil; water quality (surface and groundwater); aquatic environment (including fish and fish habitat); terrestrial vegetation; wildlife (including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians); archaeological and heritage resources; existing and planned land use (including forestry); local community; visual aesthetics; noise; recreation and tourism; and safety.

• Have Aboriginal groups in the area been consulted?

In November 2008, a Project information sheet was sent to the Annapolis Valley First Nation and Bear River First Nation. In February 2009, SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. contracted a qualified Mi'kmaq Consulting Company to prepare the Mi'kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study (MEKS) for the Project. The MEKS will identify land and resource use which is of particular importance to the Mi’kmaq people with respect to the Digby Wind Power Project and as well, will seek to identify and document traditional ecological knowledge which may be significant to the Project.

• Is SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. considering the visual impacts of the Project?

As part of the Environmental Assessment for the Project, SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. has completed a Visual Impact Assessment, which involves using different viewpoints throughout the community to produce a simulated, three-dimensional model of potential turbine locations. The study anticipates any potential visual impacts of the Project, and if necessary, using these simulations, minimizes these impacts of the Project.

• When can the public review information on the environmental aspects of the Digby Wind Power Project?

In addition to ongoing consultation with affected landowners, SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. representatives have consulted with the local community and stakeholders primarily through a public meeting at the Rossway Community Centre with representatives from NSPI (May 2008), a municipal council meeting (November 2008) and a public community information session at the Rossway Community Centre (November 2008).

On April 30, 2009, SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. submitted the Environmental Assessment Registration Document for the Project to the Nova Scotia Department of Environment. SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. have also published and posted/distributed the Environmental Assessment Registration Document for public review from the period April 30, 2009 to May 30, 2009.

• How will the project affect local activities?

The Project is not expected to interfere with the use of private lands for recreation.

• What roads will be used during the construction phase of the Project?

The site is approximately 8 km from Highway 101. Middle Cross Road, Route 217 (Evangeline Trail) and Culloden Road comprise the key transportation network expected to be used for transport of materials to the site. It is anticipated that the current road network (outside of onsite turbine access roads) will not require upgrades to accommodate construction traffic.

• What will be the impact on archaeological & heritage resources?

While the closest First Nations & Aboriginal Community to the area of the Project is the Bear River First Nation, which has reserve land approximately 25 km from the Project, SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. is doing a Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study (MEKS), which will determine the traditional and current use of lands for traditional purposes.

Preliminary background research has been done in the areas around Gulliver’s Cove and Rossway. Additional studies will be conducted in these areas including, more in-depth background research and a pedestrian survey of the high potential areas. If necessary, sub-surface testing and/or monitoring of high potential areas subject to excavation will be done.

• If roads need to be upgraded, who will pay for it?

SkyPower and Scotian Windfields Inc. will pay for any necessary upgrades to roads within the project area.

• Will wind energy projects affect my property value?

Studies from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the United Kingdom and the Renewable Energy Policy Project in the USA have found that there is no statistical evidence that property values within sight of wind projects are lower compared to those in a comparable region.

As a matter of fact, the studies found that values went up in some of the regions studied.

Proximity to a wind energy project would be just one of many factors that would affect property values.

For more information about the effect of wind energy on property values in Nova Scotia: >> read more

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• Where can I find the Questions & Answers from the Digby Project Meet & Greet Sessions?
  
  Questions & Answers from the Meet & Greet Sessions are available in our News & Events section of the website.
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