Project Status
As of October 31st, 2008
- Between April and July 2008 (a little more than three months), heavy-equipment movers Mammoet delivered 308 oversized loads to the site. Each load required two escorts per vehicle, as well as two police escorts. All deliveries were made without any incidents thanks to seamless logistics, the cooperation of municipalities and citizens, and excellent work by law enforcement authorities and Mammoet.
- Work to assemble the turbines began on April 21, 2008.
- A 650-tonne crane arrived at the site in mid-May 2008, to erect the turbines.
- The electrical infrastructure was commissioned in June 2008.
- The first wind turbine was commissioned on July 5, 2008, and started to generate energy for the Ontario power grid.
- The Port Alma Wind Farm was completed on schedule. All wind turbines were fully erected and commissioned by late September, or almost a month before the October 31st deadline set by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the buyer of the electricity.
- The gravel areas around the turbines will be removed and access roads will be narrowed from 10 m to 5 m between now and the end of November, so that farmers will have as much land as possible for the 2009 growing season!
Project Schedule
| Environmental assessment |
Jan. 06 to Feb. 07 |
 |
| Electrical interconnection assessment |
In progress |
|
| Begin detailed engineering |
June 2006 |
|
| Begin construction of access roads |
May 2007 |
|
| Begin installation of wind turbines |
April 2008 |
|
| Start up and commissioning |
June-September 2008 |
|
| Commercial operation |
October 2008 |
Stages of a Wind
Farm
| Prospecting (Approximately
1 year) |
- Business plan
- Mapping of winds
- Strategic studies
- Legal and regulatory framework
- Analysis of constraints
- Meetings with property-owners
- Preliminary feasibility studies
|
| Development (From 1 to 2 years) |
- Installation of wind measurement masts
- Advanced meteorology
- Evaluation of wind energy potential
|
| Engineering studies (From 1 to 2 years) |
- Studies of impact on the environment,
wildlife, plant life, the countryside and noise
- Public consultations
- Geological studies
- Network integration studies
- Agreement with property-owners
- Order equipment, agreements with contractors
- Permit applications
|
| Construction (From 1 to 2 years) |
- Performance tests
- Construction of access roads
- Construction of foundations
- Erection of the towers
- Installation of electrical equipment,
transformer station and cables
- Testing and start-up
|
| Operation (From 20 to 25 years) |
- Maintenance of the wind farm
|
|
|
