Province waits on offshore wind power
More research is needed, Ontario energy minister says
Offshore wind power remains dead in the water despite the $25 million a free trade tribunal awarded a U.S. company for a stalled project in Lake Ontario.
The Liberal government’s 2011 moratorium on freshwater wind turbines will stick until more scientific evidence is available on their health and environmental effects, Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault said.
“We have to get it right,” he told reporters at Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington nuclear power plant, which begins a 10-year, $12.8-billion refurbishment this weekend to extend its operating life by 30 years. “When it comes to offshore, there are many concerns that are being brought forward by some of the experts and by some of the stakeholders.”
Officials said more research is needed on the effects of freshwater wind turbines on inland lakes and water quality as it impacts species, along with issues such as sound propagation and effects on humans.
The government has 20 days to review the $25-million claim in favour of Windstream Energy, which was awarded a contract in summer 2010 to build a 300 megawatt wind turbine project off Wolfe Island near Kingston. But the effort was put on hold before construction began when the government announced the moratorium six months later, citing environmental concerns.
Windstream then filed a $568-million challenge under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), arguing the moratorium was “arbitrary, irrational and discriminatory.” Opposition parties said the $25-million award — just over 4 per cent of the amount Windstream sought — from a NAFTA tribunal is the latest example of citizens stuck with a bill with nothing to show for it.
“Once again, it seems that Ontarians will pay a heavy price for another energy project cancelled by the Liberals out of their own political selfinterest,” said New Democrat MPP and energy critic Peter Tabuns.
Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) noted Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk found the government’s move to scuttle natural gas-fired power plants in Oakville and Mississauga before 2011 will cost up to $1.1 billion over 20 years as the facilities are moved to Sarnia and Napanee.
“This is more money wasted for power facilities that we did not need and that were never even built,” said Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown.
Thibeault acknowledged the award to Windstream is substantial, which is why the government — and the federal department of Global Affairs whose lawyers defended the NAFTA challenge — are taking full advantage of a 20-day review period to consider their options.