Emission Reduction from the Largest Wind Energy Investment in Western Canada
Funded through Round 7: Renewable Energy in 2013, The 300 MW Blackspring Ridge I Wind Project was developed on 45,000 acres of private land in Alberta. Representing the largest investment in wind energy in Western Canada, this project was completed in 2014, consists of 166 Vestas V100-1.8 MW turbines and provides clean energy to approximately 140,000 households.
The Blackspring Ridge I Wind project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by generating electricity through a wind-powered facility and offsetting the amount of energy produced by fossil fuel-based sources. The expected lifetime of the project is 25 years, and at the time it was funded, it was the largest wind energy project in Western Canada. Over a 10-year period spanning from 2015 to 2024, it is estimated the project reduced up to 5.7 million tonnes of CO2e emissions in Alberta. Over a 20-year period, the project will generate up to 10.1 million tonnes of CO2e emission reductions, averaging over 510,000 tonnes of CO2e reduction per year.
Innovating the Development of the Wind Project
The project boasts coming out on time, on budget and commercially viable; it was a culmination of several innovations that contributed to this success. One notable innovation was utilizing new technology to harness the potential of less desirable wind areas Instead of building the facility where the wind potential is considered the strongest. This allowed the facility to be built near an existing transmission line, which in turn reduced the scope and capital costs of construction. The innovation also helped development surpass other wind farms by two to three years. Additionally, the project was able to improve “cut-out speed” – i.e. the speed at which the turbine blades are brough to rest – for several turbines for the Blackspring Ridge facility. This increased production efficiency, improving the expected energy yield. The project also included an innovative revenue sharing approach for landowners as well as everyone who was impacted by the turbines. The revenue sharing approach contributed to the project’s positive perception and timely development.
What’s next?
Wind energy is now de-risked in Alberta from a technology standpoint and now is in the process of undergoing full market adoption. The Blackspring Ridge Wind facility continues to operate and remains the largest wind farm in Alberta. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated from the project are contracted to Pacific Gas and Electric under a 20-year purchase agreement and the electricity is sold into the Alberta power pool. Eventually, the project was sold to EDF Renewables Canada and Enbridge.