The construction of new wind farms in British Columbia, including one west of Summerland, will provide a clean source of energy to meet the province’s demand for electricity.
The 15-megawatt Shinish Creek Wind Farm, announced by B.C. Hydro last week, is one of several projects expected to produce electrical power by late 2016.
These initiatives are part of a provincial goal to have British Columbia become self sufficient in electrical power by 2016.
At present, more than 80 per cent of the electricity generated in British Columbia comes from hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River and Peace River. Many of the dams were built between the 1920s and 1970s.
While they continue to supply a significant amount of the province’s electricity, power consumption is higher than in past years.
To meet this demand without importing electricity, it is essential to consider a variety of power sources including tidal, solar and wind power.
These sources and others will become increasingly important in the future as the demand for electricity continues to rise.
The proposed wind plants will use a clean source of energy to add to the total production of electricity.
The wind farm near Summerland will have just five wind turbines in a line along a ridge.
While this is a small operation, the power production will still make a difference in meeting the province’s electricity needs.
The provincial power supply benefits are obvious.
Just as important for this community will be the effect of the wind farm on the local economy.
The wind farm will provide local jobs during the construction period and then after the wind farm is in operation.
For these reasons alone, the wind farm should attract considerable attention within the community.