Ventus pushes on with Labrador wind farm .........................................
cbc.ca
May 29 2006
CBC News
A Toronto-based energy company is proceeding with work for an environmental assessment of a massive wind farm proposed for the Smallwood Reservoir in Labrador.
Even though Ventus Energy was unable to persuade the Newfoundland and Labrador government to launch an environmental assessment when it announced its plans this winter, the company is now preparing materials for a federal government review.
Ventus Energy CEO John Douglas is hoping the Newfoundland and Labrador government will take a stake in a proposed wind farm. (CBC)
Ventus Energy wants to install between 300 and 500 wind turbines on the eastern shore of the Smallwood Reservoir, about 70 kilometres northeast of Churchill Falls.
If approved, the $2.5-billion project would become the largest wind farm in the world, providing power for as many as 500,000 homes.
Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne said last winter his government will not be giving serious consideration to the Ventus proposal until the province's new energy plan is completed. That plan is expected to be unveiled in the fall.
Although the provincial government has so far refused to order an environmental assessment, Ventus chief executive officer John Douglas is hoping the province will join a partnership with the company and Innu and Métis groups.
"We've offered, basically, everybody a 25 per cent stake in the project," said Douglas, who on Monday concluded four days of meetings in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on the project.
"We're looking forward to in the fall, when the policy comes out, that the government sees fit to start negotiating with us in earnest." |
