Forty Mile council talks Whitla project

Steve Wikkerink

By Jeremy Appel

Commentator/Courier

County of Forty Mile council received three delegations to discuss the upcoming Whitla wind farm project at its Jan. 24 meeting.
Jason Tusor of Capital Power presented first, followed by a brief presentation from Theresa Hardiker of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Alberta (EDA) and then John Grove of AltaLink.
County Reeve Steve Wikkerink said it was important to get the major players in the long-term project together.
“The big thing was to meet each other for the first time face-to-face, get acquainted with each other and start the relationship of communicating with each other,” he said.
Edmonton-based Capital Power successfully bid for a 20-year contract to supply 202 megawatts of the 300 MW facility.
Calgary’s AltaLink built a high-voltage power line in the area, which Capital Power can use for its wind power.
“They have to build very little infrastructures themselves and that can be tied into that high-voltage line, which at this time is empty,” said Wikkerink.
Theresa Hardiker of the EDA says her organization’s role is to facilitate the economic development promised by the power project.
“We’re really looking forward to working with them,” she said. “There’s some really great opportunities that will come out of the project as far as renewable energy opportunities going forward.
“As far as economics in the county, there’s opportunity, not only from the standpoint of the labour coming in … but I think more than anything, the county is very set to be a strong area for renewable energy projects.
“This will just give us a start on what there is to come.”