Under the agreement, TransAlta will expand its existing 96MW Kent Hills wind facility, which began commercial operations in December 2008. The capital cost of the project is estimated to be $100m. The project is subject to regulatory and environmental approvals and is expected to begin commercial operations by the end of 2010.
Steve Snyder, president and CEO of TransAlta, said: “We are pleased to have been awarded another long-term PPA with New Brunswick Power, and continue our strong relationship with them. With the completion of the Kent Hills expansion next year, we will have over 1,000MW of wind power and over 2,000MW of renewable energy in operation across Canada and the US.”
The 18-turbine expansion will be located just south of the current Kent Hills wind facility, which is southwest of Moncton, New Brunswick. The facility will use V90-3.0MW wind turbines purchased from Vestas. TransAlta expects construction to commence in early 2010 and the facility to be in service by the end of 2010. Once complete, the facility is expected to provide 160,000MWh per year.
TransAlta will work with local firms for the construction and ongoing operation of the Kent Hills wind farm. Natural Forces Technologies (NFT), a local Atlantic Canada wind developer, is TransAlta’s co-developer in the Kent Hills expansion project. Upon completion of the expansion project, NFT will have the option to purchase a 17% interest in the new operating facility.
