Premier Helps Break Ground for New Wind Farm

Premier Darrell Dexter helped break ground in Amherst today, June 22, on a new wind farm that will boost the local economy and help the province achieve its renewable electricity targets.

The $61-million project will feature 15 wind turbines with a capacity of 31.5 megawatts, enough energy to power 10,000 homes.

Sprott Power Corp. and Firelight Infrastructure Partners, both of Toronto, are leading the project. Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation is also involved and has hired DSTN Trenton to manufacture the steel towers for the wind turbines.

"These are exciting times to be involved in the energy business in Nova Scotia," said Premier Dexter. "Just last week, I attended the grand opening of DSTN in Trenton, and now some of the first towers they'll build at that facility will soon stand tall on the ground we are breaking here today.

"That kind of synergy is what's helping Nova Scotia meet and exceed its renewable energy targets, not to mention the goals laid out in jobsHere, the province's strategic plan to grow the economy."

The province has set a target to have 25 per cent of its electricity come from clean, renewable sources by the year 2015. That target increases to 40 per cent by 2020.

"Nova Scotia is emerging as a leader in the field of renewable energy, which is what drew our company to invest here," said Jeff Jenner, president and CEO of Sprott Power Corp. "Nova Scotia has the vision, it has committed to renewable portfolio targets, and, most importantly, it has the wind resources for this type of project to succeed. We are very pleased to be doing additional business here with our partner."

Construction has begun. The wind farm is expected to be running early next year.