Wind turbines are going up in four Saskatchewan communities this summer as part of a demonstration project aimed at reducing electrical costs in arenas.
The five-year, $1.9 million project will test whether wind power is a viable source that communities could consider in the future.
More than 150 communities expressed interest in the project when first announced and 79 submitted specific proposals, said Rob Norris, minister responsible for Sask-Power.
Originally, only two were to be chosen but that was expanded.
The four selected communities are Central Butte, Eatonia, Shaunavon and Strasbourg.
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Sharon Dickie, mayor of Shaunavon in windy southern Saskatchewan, said that the town spends about $40,000 per year on electricity.
“It’s significant,” she said.
In July, the community is opening its new Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre.
“This will go hand in hand with us trying to sustain an energy efficient arena,” she said. “We use it 12 months of the year.
“Four years ago we looked at wind power but it wasn’t always a viable project as a municipality to partake in. Having this opportunity where SaskPower and the provincial government are presenting it to us, we’re pretty excited about it.”
Robert Watson, president of Sask-Power, said the four communities were chosen on their wind merits. Two – Shaunavon and Central Butte – are considered high wind sites while the other two are considered good.
He said the demonstration project will test the economics of wind power.
“We know wind works and we know the economics, it’s just whether the economics works for the rinks themselves,” he said.
Each community will erect a 50-metre-high, 50 kilowatt turbine at its rink. Typically a turbine this size will produce electricity worth $4,500 to $10,000 per year, depending on the wind.
If surplus power is produced, it will go into the main electrical grid and be measured through net metering.
SaskPower is paying for the purchase, installation and maintenance of the turbines for up to five years. Municipalities will then assume the costs, including about $2,500 per year in maintenance.
Norris added that wind technology is always changing and SaskPower needs good data to make sound decisions in the future.
The corporation is currently doubling its overall wind power capacity to more than 400 megawatts. That would make up 8.5 percent of its total generating capacity.
Watson said the demands on the existing power grid are high.
“We need people to consume less electricity from the main grid,” he said.
“Anywhere we can get people to self generate power or use less power is good for us.”
