THUNDER BAY – Ginoogaming First Nation is offering a partnership with a wind energy firm to continue development of their 10-megawatt (MW) wind farm, located near Longlac, 350 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Last May the installation of a meteorological tower (MET) on Ginoogaming’s reserve lands captured wind data and today the one-year results have completed analysis providing the First Nation with valuable information for their first phase feasibility study. Wind speed is a crucial element in projecting turbine performance as the project moves to the second phase.
A 10-MW set of wind turbines can produce more than 30 million kWh in a year. There would be enough energy produced to power more than 2,800 households. The project size of megawatts produced could be increased depending upon interests of potential partners.
“The renewable clean, green energy could generate electricity to power thousands of homes in the area and will avoid tons of carbon dioxide emissions,” said Chief Celia Echum of Ginoogaming. “As this is the fastest-growing energy source in the world, abundant, safe, renewable wind power is a very promising investment opportunity,” Chief Echum added.
Adolph Rasevych, Economic Development Adviser of Ginoogaming First Nation has been responsible for the coordination of the wind energy project. ”This expansion of wind power would create jobs, directly and indirectly, during construction followed by permanent jobs later,” Rasevych said.
As partners, Ginoogaming First Nation and the firm would jointly provide equity and seek project finances to complete construction and installation of the wind turbines. Financial details, including the capital costs of the project and the amount of the equity and finances required will depend upon the project size and have not yet been finalized.
Interested wind energy developers and firms can contact Adolph Rasevych at email rsdc2@hotmail.com or by phone 807-854-7788.