Heather Wright/The Independent

The Independent Electricity System Operator is urging municipalities such as Brooke-Alvinston to keep up to date with the energy projects up for approval.

Venfor Inc., a wind development company, wants to build a project in Brooke-Alvinston and Adelaide-Metcalfe. Director Peter Budd, who lives in Adelaide-Metcalfe, says 17 turbines would be placed in Brooke if the project is approved by the IESO.

Even though the project could generated an estimate $300,000 to $400,000 in revenue for the municipality, many councillors have said they don’t support the project. And that could sink the project. The IESO requires municipal endorsement for the projects to move forward. 

IESO Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, Carla Nell, in a letter to municipalities, makes it clear they’re in the driver’s seat. 

Nell says municipalities know best the “engagement required in their communities” and “municipalities will be able to determine minimum engagement standards that developers must meet.”

She adds “Ontario requires more electricity, and we must work together to secure it.”

Councillor Don McCabe, who attended a seminar on the IESO process, says Budd and Venfor are “moving ahead with his project.

“ As far as we know, he’s essentially got until the middle of August here to get the necessary data to us for us to make the final decision.”

That includes a study on the affect the project would have on the farmland it will be on.

Mayor David Ferguson is also concerned about who may buy the project once it is developed, noting it may be foreign buyers.

Clerk/Administrator Janet Denkers spoke to Budd recently who said “he would bring the potential buyers with him to any public engagement sessions that were held,” adding “they focused on Canadian buyers, Canadian owners, not American ones.”

Denkers says the developer has yet to talk dates with the municipality but she anticipates the meeting will be held at the end of August.

Venfor Inc. must submit its bid to the IESO – with a municipal support letter – by mid December to be considered for a 20-year generation contract.