Update - Call to Action!
LakeWind was not granted a FIT contract at the last round of approvals. However, that has not stopped TREC and supporters from pushing the project forward and working with the Ministry of Energy to find room for community power in the Kincardine area. There are options available that will allow LakeWind space on the grid and our current letter-writing campaign is bringing attention to them!
To support LakeWind by sending a general support letter to government representatives, click here. ( your default email client will open)
If you are on a shared computer, here is a format we suggest you use, composing to any or all of:
· Premier Dalton McGuinty dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
· Minister of Energy, Christopher Bentley cbentley.mpp@liberal.ola.org
· Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ted McMeekin
To:
Hon. Premier McGuinty
Premier of Ontario Legislative Building,
Queen's Park Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
Hon. Minister of Energy Bentley,
Ministry of Energy
4th Floor, Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1
Dear Premier McGuinty and Minister Bentley,
RE: Proposed solution for community wind project, LakeWind
As an involved citizen of Ontario and a supporter of renewable energy development, I write to you stating my concern for the LakeWind community power project proposed by TREC Renewable Energy Cooperative for Kincardine, ON.
Based on your government’s past actions (specifically enacting the Green Energy Act), it is clear that your loyalties lie with the bulk of citizens who expect you to choose the best option for Ontario’s future energy development. However, my concern has spiked in light of recent reports that confirm LakeWind was denied a FIT contract, due to a downgrade in grid capacity at the Douglas Point transformer station- yet another setback after 7 years of grassroots efforts and over a million dollars invested.
As a community-based wind project, LakeWind ought to be recognized as a prospective driving force to shift attitudes towards wind power acceptance while creating clean energy, sustaining agriculture, and building infrastructure and economy within the Kincardine area- an example to be followed and benefited from by communities alike.
It is my hope that you will work with TREC to allocate the remaining grid capacity to community power, and possibly find a solution to this time-sensitive issue. A suggestion would be to allow the LakeWind project to decrease in size, without loss of priority in the FIT queue. I look forward to seeing the LakeWind project move forward as an exemplary leader in the community wind power sector, prior to the October election.
Thank you for your time and consideration in reading this letter of support.
Kind Regards,
At TREC, we thank you for your continued efforts and support. With your help, we can bring attention to the present opportunity to develop more community power in Ontario!
Project Description
The recent announcement of the Ontario Power Authority's Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program is providing the foundation for TREC to move ahead with ambitious development plans. The Ontario FIT program is the most generous renewable energy support program in North America, providing Ontarian’s with the opportunity to invest in renewable energy.
Building on the experience from the WindShare co-operative's Exhibition Place wind turbine project, TREC is developing a 20-megawatt (MW) wind farm project called Lakewind. Located near the Town of Bervie, just east of Kincardine, Ontario, the Lakewind project will be one of the largest co-operatively owned wind power projects in Canada. Pending a successful FIT application, it is expected to be generating power by 2013.
Specification
The project will consist of 10 wind turbines standing 108 metres high, with each of their blades measuring 41 meters in length. TREC has incorporated Lakewind Power Co-operative Inc. to develop and own the project through bonds and equity shares for members looking to invest in local wind energy projects. These securities will be registered through the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and, as a result of the Feed-In Tariff program, will offer competitive rates at a low risk to investors.
Benefits
- Reducing green house gas emissions to mitigate against climate change – the project will displace up to 14,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide annually
- Generating an average of 50,000 megawatt hours of CLEAN ENERGY per year, equivalent to the electricity needs of over 13,000 homes
- Supporting long term job creation and economic prosperity in Ontario by using local labour and hardware
- Offering a viable long-term investment with above average returns
- Keeping profits in Ontario
- Providing tools, templates and other services to assist other groups with their community wind co-op
- Encouraging further dialogue and opportunities for renewable energy education
As our second wind project evolves, TREC is in a position to assist other community groups with the pursuit of their wind energy co-operatives in Ontario. We are developing the necessary tools, templates and other resources needed to undertake a community wind project. Ask us about how we can help!