Heather Wright/The Independent

Residents will hear more about the proposed wind project in Brooke-Alvinston and Adelaide Metcalfe. Venfor Inc – the development company behind the project – is planning a public meeting Aug. 28.

Venfor 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 Independent Electricity System Operator. It’s looking for all kinds of energy projects, with proposals due by December to be considered for a possible 20-year generation project.

Venfor’s project – which the company is calling the Strathroy Wind Development Project – has not been well received by Brooke-Alvinston council, with several members saying they won’t support it at all and others saying community members are overwhelmingly against it. They’re oppose despite the fact the company running the wind project would pay an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 to the municipality each year.

And that’s problematic for Venfor.

According to provincial regulations, companies bidding for projects must have a letter of endorsement from the municipality.

Mayor David Ferguson has voiced concern about what company may buy the project once it is developed, noting it may be foreign buyers.

Clerk/Administrator Janet Denkers spoke to Budd in July 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.”

Venfor’s flyer, circulated by the municipality on social media, says a public open house will be held at the Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre Aug. 28 from 4 to 8 pm. It’s not clear whether the company will be giving a formal presentation where the public could ask questions. The company’s notice says “interested community members will be able to engage at the pbulic meetings or submit written questions or comments during or after the sessions.

A virtual public meeting is also being held Sept. 4 from 7 to 8 pm via zoom.