Blake Ellis/The Independent

A push to build wind turbines has been shutdown by Enniskillen Township council before it even began.

Enniskillen Township Clerk-Administrator Duncan McTavish told council at its Aug. 19 meeting, he had been contacted by Annie Merritt, a representative from Innergex Renewable Energy, which is actively exploring the viability of establishing wind turbines in the township.

Innergex is the owner and operator of hydroelectric, wind energy and solar farm facilities. Based in Quebec, the company has expanded into Ontario, British Columbia, Idaho, Chile and France.
Merritt indicated an Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) report in April states there is capacity in the 230 KV grid in Lambton County to support the building of wind turbines.

The claim seems contrary to what council was told in the fall of 2023 that there was no capacity to handle any battery storage projects.

At the time, Compass Energy Consulting proposed a battery storage facility would hold 200 to 300 megawatts of power on 20 acres just outside of Wyoming. The project was shelved because Hydro One told Compass there was not enough available line capacity to go ahead with the project.

“We aren’t getting a clear picture here,” said Deputy Mayor Judy Krall, as she questioned why there is no capacity for battery storage, but there is for wind turbines.

“I don’t know what the picture is,” said McTavish. “If there is a distinction between the movement of electricity from battery storage in and out of the system in comparison to wind turbines, I have no idea.”
Council would have to pass a resolution in support, along with amendments to the township’s official plan and zoning bylaw in order for the project to go ahead.

“I am not a willing vote,” said Councillor Mary Lynne McCallum, saying she doesn’t care if there is not enough capacity on the grid for storage or use.

Krall agreed with McCallum, saying her parents are surrounded by wind turbines in Chatham-Kent and, in her opinion, these turbines are sitting on the best agricultural land in the world for food production.
“I think we are all on the same page with that,” said Councillor Wally Van Dun. When asked whether he felt the same way, Councillor Chad Burke responded, “Yes, 100 percent.”

Burke was a spokesperson for a citizen group opposed to wind turbines in Enniskillen in 2013.

Mayor Kevin Marriott, who was at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario meetings in Ottawa and attended the meeting by video link, told The Independent he also opposes wind projects in the township.

“My position hasn’t changed,” he said. Enniskillen was one of the first townships in Lambton to declare itself an unwilling host to wind energy in 2013.

“I’m just glad that they (IESO) require a council resolution (of support) for the project to move forward, unlike the last time we dealt with the issue.

Council passed a resolution Monday saying it is not in favour of having wind turbines in the township.

McTavish will notify the developer that council is not in support of its project. He told council, this wouldn’t stop other developers from coming forward with similar projects.

In discussions he had in the last week, McTavish has learned there is a different developer that has also approached the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston about a wind turbine proposal.