Skip to content

Temagami testing wind farm potential

Temagami – A Temagami-based organization is assessing the potential for a co-operative wind farm in northeastern Ontario.

Temagami – A Temagami-based organization is assessing the potential for a co-operative wind farm in northeastern Ontario.

In August, The Renewable Energy Co-operative North (TREC North) erected a 60-metre wind-testing tower in the Temagami industrial park to determine whether or not there is enough wind power to justify building a 10-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Temagami.

Prior to the 12-month wind resource assessment and feasibility study, the 70-member, not-for-profit organization completed a preliminary RETScreen check, a renewable energy technology screening process.

TREC North board member Anna Gibson-Olajos says they used Sudbury wind data because it was the closest wind data they had for the area. A year’s worth of data is required before phase four, the business structure, can begin. Should the data prove in favour of the wind farm, a for-profit co-operative would be created, selling shares to interested residents.

Gibson-Olajos says the focus is community ownership.

“There are private wind farms going up in Northern Ontario, but currently, there is no opportunity for people in this area to invest, so that is what we are trying to create.”

Presently, the plan is to erect five 2-MW towers, which would produce twice the power required in Temagami. Excess power would be sold to the North American grid, generating profits for co-operative shareholders.

The future site for the project is still in the application process, but TREC North is considering publicly-owned land, possibly an abandoned mine site, minimizing environmental impact.

The total cost for the project is estimated to be $20 million. It would produce several jobs, a tax base and clean renewable energy for the community and the grid. The additional supply would also enhance the grid’s overall stability.

Last fall, TREC North’s efforts toward advancing “green” co-operative energy were recognized by the Ontario Co-operative Association with the Co-operative Innovator Award.

With the municipality as a supporting partner in the project, FedNor, the Ontario Co-operative Association, the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and the Temagami Community Foundation are providing support. The largest financial contribution ($158,500) came from the Green Municipal Fund.