Wind turbine and home, Brinston, Ontario. Photo by Ray Pilon.

Communities of North Stormont and Nation Township get huge power contracts, despite community opposition

March 10, 2016

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) announced the successful bids for its 2015 Large Renewable Procurement process this morning.

Among the five wind power projects announced are two in Eastern Ontario: Township of Champlain and Municipality of Nation (RES Canada, 32 megawatts) and North Stormont ( EDP Renewables, 100 megawatts).

The IESO said as part of its announcement:

The full list of contract offers, including project location, fuel type, contract capacity and contact information, see the LRP I RFP Selected Proponents List.

The development and design of the program’s requirements, including those for community and municipal engagement, were informed by broad engagement with municipalities, Aboriginal communities, industry associations, the general public and other stakeholders. The LRP program requirements were designed to strike a balance between early community engagement and achieving value for ratepayers. Local support – from the municipality, local First Nation community and/or from landowners adjacent to the project – was a factor in project evaluation.

Both communities saw citizen opposition. Residents of Nation were concerned about the impact on the local economy and the dangers of constructing power generating machines on Leda Clay, while North Stormont, home to the South Branch project, cited the social impact of the Brinston area project.