Emera general manager and project lead Dan Muldoon along with the project’s community liaison officer Kevin Cameron made a presentation to council March 22.
Emera purchased development rights and turbines for the Digby project on Feb. 1 and has since created an updated site plan moving three turbines to the main project site, started geo-technical work the first week of March and planned to have construction activities such as site clearing and road construction start last week.
"The main access to the turbines will be through an existing road through the Bennett property, which will be upgraded and built to specifications so turbines can be delivered," Muldoon said.
"We're working with Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to have all the permits in place there that we can actually get the turbines transported there and delivered up to the site."
He said it was important to mention the layout of the transmission line as well.
"The transmission line the wind turbine site will supply to the substation is located in Conway. The transmission line has to be built approximately 17.5 kilometres to connect to the substation and we are almost complete on acquiring all the easements and legal rights to actually build this transmission line," he said.
He expects negotiations with a few remaining property owners will be completed in the next few weeks.
"The current construction schedule will see the wind turbine generators delivered the last week in June and run for probably four consecutive weeks. We anticipate to receive five turbines for four weeks for a total of 20 turbines," Muldoon said.
Emera is still working with the wind turbine supplier and transport department to finalize a plan to transport wind turbine generators.
He said a subsidiary company, Emera Utility Services, would be the general contractor for the construction of the project.
The company plans to stay active within the community by creating a project website, updating municipal council, the local MLA, Department of Energy and Department of Environment, and by continued meeting with local residents both individually and in small groups.
Also planned are a community open house, a wind power education program and sponsorship of local events.
A community liaison committee will have its first meeting in April, said Muldoon.
Others involved in the project include manager of environmental service Ken Meade and Scotian Windfields chief executive officer Barry Zwicker.
"We have an agreement with them to actually help us develop this project," Muldoon said.
The only question asked by council at the end of the presentation was how Emera planned to transport the turbines since they will be doing so during tourism season.
"We will do everything to minimize the amount of disruption," said Muldoon.
ldelong@digbycourier.ca
