Wind turbine progress liens a bit

SkyPower, which is partnered with Scotia Wind Fields, plans to erect a 30-megawatt wind farm in Gulliver’s Cove using 20 turbines.

SkyPower went through a corporate restructuring process in August and sought protection from its creditors. Its principal shareholder, the American financial giant Lehman Brothers, had already filed for bankruptcy.

This past spring and summer, Terrain Group Inc. in Dartmouth provided surveying services in Gulliver’s Cove for SkyPower.

Terrain Group’s manager of surveying division Kevin Brown said SkyPower owes them money for those services, which an online news site reports lists as $42,950.

Brown said there is other work to be done in the project area but it is on hold.

There are 17 local landowners affected by this.

Property owner Linda Lewis said she received a letter a few months ago stating there was a lien against her property. “I’ve already heard from SkyPower about it and it’s being taken care of,” Lewis said.

One of the three turbines needing to be moved was originally to be put on Lewis’ property. “I think (the wind farm) is a good thing for the area,” Lewis said. “It’s not taking anything away from anything, it’s wind power and I think it will be a good thing in the long run.”

Municipality of Digby warden Jim Thurber said he heard SkyPower’s assets were up for sale but has no knowledge beyond that.

SkyPower has yet to respond to requests for comment.

The province’s environment department approved the project several months ago, although it required relocation of the planned siting of three turbines. ldelong@digbycourier.ca