“It is a great day for our shareholders”, said David Swan, project manager for the New Annan-based Colchester-Cumberland Wind Field (CCWF), in a news release. “We have had our two 50 kW turbines prepared to go for some time and now can serve more homes with locally-produced wind energy.”
CCWF operates an 800 kW turbine on Spiddle Hill, north of Earltown. The two 50 kW machines, manufactured by Seaforth Energy in Dartmouth, have been ready to add electricity to the local sub-system since November and were waiting for the completion of arrangements between the government and Nova Scotia Power before the switch could be turned on.
“My generation has been burning lots of coal and oil, and now we are getting smarter in harnessing the wind,” added Swan. “The next generation will need to do even more to overcome the burning pattern, and we need them to strengthen the rural economy. There are jobs in wind power and I am delighted to be part of it.”
CCWF President David Stevenson praised the government and the Department of Energy for the foresight in bringing the renewable energy plan into operation four years ago.
“CCWF is proud to be part of the renewable energy strategy, and its shareholders recognize the part they have played in investing in our local company,” said Stevenson.
At a ceremony in Earltown, Bruce Cameron, executive director for sustainable energy in the Department of Energy, credited CCWF as the first company to achieve COMFIT approval and to have turbines in full operation.
Truro-Bible Hill Lenore Zann also noted the importance in the development of renewable energy in Nova Scotia.
New Glasgow, Guysborough and CCWF have the first working turbines under the COMFIT program and there are more to come.
The rate for the electricity produced under the COMFIT program will be the same for 20 years, holding the price for power at lower levels than the ever-increasing coal cost would permit.
CCWF has COMFIT approval for an additional 50 kW turbine on Spiddle Hill, which will be place during 2014. Plans are being prepared for a second 800 kW turbine to be installed this summer.
