The Alberta Utilities Commission on Sept. 13 approved changes being sought by NaturEner Energy Canada Inc., including a change in wind turbines, for its Wild Rose 1 wind farm project.
The company had a prior approval from the commission to construct and operate the Wild Rose 1 wind plant in Cypress County and also the Wild Rose 1 substation.
NaturEner Energy Canada on June 18 filed a letter of enquiry with the AUC to alter the Wild Rose 1 plant. It also requested a one-year extension from Dec. 31, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2015, to complete the power plant. On Aug. 30, NaturEner Energy Canada requested an extension from Dec. 31, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2015, for the construction of the substation.
NaturEner Energy Canada further requested that the amended approvals be issued to NaturEner Wild Rose 1 Energy, which is the Wild Rose 1 project entity.
The Wild Rose 1 wind power plant was to consist of 136 wind turbines, each rated at 1.5 MW, with a total capacity of 204 MW. The location of the power plant is in Cypress County, about 45 kilometers southeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta. The electric energy generated by the power plant will be delivered to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System.
The proposed alteration consisted of a change of wind turbine model, from the approved Acciona AW-77 1.5-MW model to the Alstom ECO110 3.0-MW model. NaturEner stated that the Acciona turbines are no longer available.
NaturEner said approval of the Alstom turbines would result in a reduction in the number of turbines from 136 to 70, a reduction in turbines located on native pasture from 43 to 20, a reduction in the project area from 75 quarter sections to 56 quarter sections and a reduction in the noise levels at previously modeled receptors. NaturEner said the proposed change in turbine would increase the projected annual energy production for the plant and the nameplate rated capacity from 204 MW to 210 MW.
