Projects, Resource

Pattern Energy and Nigig Power Corporation complete Henvey Inlet First Nation wind project

DCN News Services October 28, 2019

PICKEREL, ONT.—Pattern Energy Group LP and Nigig Power Corporation recently announced completion of the 300-megawatt (MW) Henvey Inlet Wind power facility in Ontario, the largest, single-phase wind facility in Canada which is now generating clean power for 100,000 homes.

Pattern Development and Nigig Power Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Henvey Inlet First Nation, are joint venture partners in the facility, which is located on Henvey Inlet First Nation Reserve No. 2, on the northeast shore of the Georgian Bay.

Henvey Inlet Wind utilizes 87 Vestas 3.45 MW turbines with a 136-meter rotor diameter and 132-meter hub height, indicates a release, adding a 104-kilometer transmission line delivers electricity generated by the facility to the Ontario electricity grid. It has a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for 100 per cent of its production.

At the peak of construction, there were approximately 1,000 workers on site and nearly one-third of those workers were First Nations citizens.

Now that the facility is operational, it employs up to 20 permanent full-time staff and is expected to create demand for more than 100 ongoing indirect workers, including maintenance contractors, adds the release.

The construction process generated approximately $25 million in direct economic activity for local First Nations businesses and is expected to generate more than $10 million in income annually for the First Nation.

“The wind farm’s completion marks a historic moment for Henvey Inlet First Nation,” said Chief Wayne McQuabbie of Henvey Inlet First Nation, in a statement.

“New infrastructure is underway in the First Nation as a result of this new facility and we see better days ahead. We’ve already increased our administrative staff and employees in the community and we look forward to ensuring a positive future for our upcoming generations, including economic spin offs and job security. As Anishinabek, we are proud to contribute to a green economy and are proactively moving forward in a time of climate change.”