The Independent

A 17 year-old wind energy facility near Forest will continue generating power until 2032.

The Independent Electrical System Operator sent a letter to Lambton Shores council saying the six-wind turbine project in Ravenswood would be receiving a five-year contract when its current term expires in 2028.

The 9.9 watt operation started operating in 2008 and is owned by Sky Generation, which is owned by Capstone Infrastructure.

Council received the letter but doesn’t have any details about how the extension of the project will affect the municipality.

Councillors wanted to know if community host agreements would also be extended. CAO Stephen McAuley’s simply didn’t know.

“The Vibrancy Fund was totally a voluntary program. I think from a purely financial standpoint, the agreements (to generate power) in place at the time were rich enough that allowed some companies to offer that. I have no idea what the extensions look like,” he said, adding both the provincial contracts and the municipal host agreements were for 20 years.

It was widely believed the wind turbines would then be removed. But he adds, based on the new contracts, it appears they’re able to continue generating power longer.