Supports New Brunswick Power's provincial energy strategy
CALGARY, Oct. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - The 17.25MW expansion of the TransAlta Renewables Inc. ("TransAlta Renewables" or the "Company") (TSX: RNW) wind facility at Kent Hills, in New Brunswick is now fully operational, bringing total generating capacity to 167 MW.
Under the 17-year power purchase agreement, New Brunswick Power receives both energy to the province's electricity grid and renewable energy credits.
"Our partnership with New Brunswick Power reflects our commitment to customize every project to meet the unique needs of our customers," said TransAlta Renewables President John Kousinioris. "We value the close collaboration with our customer and with our stakeholders, which was the cornerstone of our first Kent Hills wind project in 2008 and remains with this expansion to the original wind facility."
"The additional renewable capacity of Kent Hills 3 achieves the production targets and is great news for the environment. It will also give NB Power the potential to facilitate other business development opportunities in the green energy export sector," said Gatan Thomas, CEO, New Brunswick Power.
TransAlta Renewables' engagement with project stakeholders and indigenous communities is a great example of working together to bring important new infrastructure to a modern grid.
As part of the development and regulatory approval process, TransAlta Renewables worked with the government, neighbouring Indigenous communities, Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. and Fort Folly First Nation, and local stakeholder groups such as the Snowmobilers Association.
The Kent Hills 3 expansion is located on approximately 20 acres of Crown Land and consists of five Vestas V126 turbines. Kent Hills is located about 55km southwest of Moncton, in the southeastern section of Elgin Parish in Albert County, N.B. Natural Forces Technologies Inc., a wind-energy developer based in Atlantic Canada, co-developed and co-owns the wind farm with TransAlta Renewables.
Construction began in April 2018, achieving completion in under six months.