N.S. environment minister approves 28-turbine wind farm in Antigonish, Guysborough counties

Wind turbines dot the landscape near the town of Watford. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News)

The Upper Afton Wind Project received its environmental assessment approval Wednesday.

The 28-turbine wind farm is set to begin construction in Antigonish and Guysborough counties in 2027, employing roughly 200 to 250 people, according to a news release from the province.

Each turbine will be over 220 metres tall and will individually produce eight megawatts of energy.

Once operational, the province projects it will generate about $1.5 million in municipal tax revenue each year for up to 35 years.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Timothy Halman released his decision concerning the environmental assessment.

He advised the developers to work with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Climate Change Canada to address or mitigate impacts to species at risk.

The departments of Natural Resources and Energy show concern in their review for: “loss of habitat and species disturbance during clearing, construction and facility operation.”

They identified rare lichen species, birds, bats, black ash, moose habitat and old growth forest within the proposed clearing footprint of the project, which will be located between Upper Afton and Upper Big Tracadie.

Upper Afton Wind Ltd. writes in its project summary, “habitat loss and impacts to rare plants and lichens have been avoided through layout revisions and minimized by using pre-existing roads and previously disturbed areas (i.e., clear cuts) to the extent possible.”

On April 9, The Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative wrote to the environmental assessment officer. It said the cumulative impacts of these wind projects must be carefully assessed and taken into consideration how they will impact mainland moose, watercourses, and the declining availability of Crown land in the province.

The Government of Nova Scotia states the developers, “must comply with 58 terms and conditions designed to protect the environment and human health.”

Minister Halman says he is satisfied that any adverse effects from the project can be “adequately mitigated” through compliance to those terms and conditions.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page