Wind turbine plan faces headwinds in Temiskaming Shores

Two Temiskaming Shores-area wind turbine projects face criticism from local farmers, as companies seek council approval.

A plan to place dozens of wind turbines in Temiskaming Shores offers the possibility of steady revenue for some rural communities.

But the proposal also faces vocal opposition from groups who claim the turbines are a health hazard and would take up valuable agricultural land.

Two public meetings Thursday evening gave residents details on the two proposed wind turbine projects. If successful, the projects would generate electricity for the province’s power grid.

ABO Energy Canada’s Temiskaming Wind Project would see 18-24 wind turbines built on the city’s outskirts. If approved, construction would start in Q4 2028 with operation starting in April 2030.

David Berrade, ABO Energy Canada’s social impact and engagement lead, said the plan offers plenty of benefits for municipalities.

“There are significant tax benefits back to the municipalities over the 20-year expected initial lifetime of the project that will be in the millions of dollars,” Berrade said.

Meanwhile, Horizon New Energy’s 25-30 Little Claybelt Wind Project would be built in Hudson and Kerns Townships on private, agricultural land about a 20-minute drive northwest of Temiskaming Shores.

Construction would begin in late 2028, with operations commencing in late 2029 or early 2030.

Dairy farmer Stacy Byerlay, who was in attendance Thursday, said she is one of several farmers and landowners who are “on the fence.”

“I’m just here to learn and see what each company has to offer,” Byerlay told CTV News.

While she is on the fence, some people at the open house were fiercely opposed.

Landowner Sylvie Rioux said the wind turbine layout is unclear.

“As concerned residents, it would be nice to be able to have a little bit more information in terms of the placement,” Rioux said.

She and around a dozen others demonstrated outside of the Kerns and Hudson town hall meeting with signs and wearing anti-wind turbine T-shirts. A couple of tractors with anti-wind turbine posters were brandished in the windows.

“Renewable energy is important, I believe, across the province and in Canada,” Rioux said.

“I believe that it’s necessary, especially around climate change. But responsible renewable energy is key.”

Shannon Wever, managing director of Horizon New Energy’s proposal, was trying to dispel some of their worries.

Wever said studies have proven that there is “no documented evidence of impacts on health from wind turbines,” adding that the company is going to be completing an environmental assessment before construction.

“There’s about a year to a year and a half of environmental studies that are done that we use to figure out where the best place to put turbines will be,” she said.

Horizon New Energy said its annual community benefit fund would be equal to about $375,000-$500,000 for a project of that size, with money allocated to each township based on how many turbines are within their boundaries.

“A typical turbine with an access road -- because you need to be able to get to the turbine -- will take up between 0.5 to one acre of land in total,” Wever said.

Both projects need to be submitted for tender to the Ontario government by Oct. 16.

However, there are certain criteria that need to be met first. That includes support from municipalities. Councillors, mayors and reeves were in attendance.

“We haven’t really come to a full decision as a council,” said Kerns Township Reeve Terry Phillips.

“The big thing is there’s the kind of revenue that could be generated from the project would be very important to a small municipality.”

“We’ve seen what happened to some of the neighbours up north in Fauquier-Strickland and how easily things can turn when you have a small tax base of 336 people.”

Phillips is hoping the province will step in and provide funding for complete a risk assessment study.

“The hardest part is that in our small municipality, we’re split right down the middle as far as the people that are for the wind turbine mills and for the people that are opposed,” he sighed.

Temiskaming Shores Mayor Jeff Laferriere was seen asking several questions to the company.

“For us, it’s $5 million cash over a 20-year period. But we have to take everything into consideration,” Laferriere said.

“We’ll get a report from our leadership team and it’ll be on our future agenda for discussion.”

The local councils will have to decide soon for the companies to put out a request for proposals by the mid-October deadline.