Frequently asked questions:
QUESTION:
How does this project benefit Prince Edward Island and the local municipality of Eastern Kings?
ANSWER:
QUESTION:
How is the electricity from Island wind farms distributed?
ANSWER:
Islanders are using the electricity generated from its wind resource! When PEI's load demand is greater than the supply from existing Island generation, we rely on NB power. During seasonally windy periods and lower demands there are times when PEI is a net exporter of electricity.
QUESTION:
Will my household electricity bill be reduced with increased wind generation?
ANSWER:
Electricity generated by the existing wind farm and the proposed expansion is sold to Maritime Electric through a Power Purchase Agreement and is sold at avoided cost so as to not increase costs for the rate payer. While rate payers may not notice decreases in rates, the goal is to stabilize and prevent drastic rate increases. Renewable energy projects aim to stabilize electricity rates and reduce our overall dependence on off-Island power.
QUESTION:
What is the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation doing to protect wooded areas and wetlands in the development area?
ANSWER:
In general, PEIEC must comply with all municipal, provincial, and federal regulations and we are committed to mitigating the impacts to the affected wetlands in the development area. First by avoiding sensitive environmental components and then by minimizing of unavoided impacts. PEIEC is committed to the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation and the underpinned commitment to “no net loss of wetland function”. This may be accomplished by restoration or enhancement of degraded or low function wetland or outright creation of wetland habitat.
QUESTION:
What is the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation doing to protect the bird and bat population in the development area?
ANSWER:
PEIEC has acquired specialized radar equipment to supplement our acoustic bird and bat studies and is committed to long term monitoring of these populations surrounding the development area in Eastern Kings. This includes baseline monitoring, construction monitoring as well as multiple years of post commissioning studies. The data and conclusions of these studies will allow PEIEC to make the most informed decisions with respect to operation of the wind farm and protecting the bird and bat populations. The studies performed at the existing Eastern Kings and Hermanville farms demonstrate very low avian and bat mortality rates and are considered very low relative to other operating wind farms.
QUESTION:
What is the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation doing to support the local community and its landowners?
ANSWER:
PEIEC has proposed a 3 tiered system for compensating landowners in close proximity to the proposed wind turbines. The financial benefits paid to landowners represents ~2.5% of the overall project gross revenues and are paid quarterly. There are over 40 landowners with parcels who have decided to participate in the project and will receive financial compensation. Of these 40 landowners and parcels, it is estimated that ~70% of them reside in Eastern Kings year round. In addition to the landowner compensation amounts, a development agreement with the Rural Municipality of Eastern Kings is pending review by the Community Council and will provide long term stable funding to the area.
How does this project benefit Prince Edward Island and the local municipality of Eastern Kings?
ANSWER:
- Reduced GHG emissions, contributing to Canada’s goal of reducing national total GHG emissions by 30% by 2030. [Including construction/Operation -> Project is expected to yield a net reduction in GHG’s of over 500,000 tCo2e]
- Lower dependence on imports of electricity to the Province of Prince Edward Island.
- Stabilized electricity costs within the Province of Prince Edward Island.
- Economic development benefits to local municipality and its landowners
QUESTION:
How is the electricity from Island wind farms distributed?
ANSWER:
Islanders are using the electricity generated from its wind resource! When PEI's load demand is greater than the supply from existing Island generation, we rely on NB power. During seasonally windy periods and lower demands there are times when PEI is a net exporter of electricity.
QUESTION:
Will my household electricity bill be reduced with increased wind generation?
ANSWER:
Electricity generated by the existing wind farm and the proposed expansion is sold to Maritime Electric through a Power Purchase Agreement and is sold at avoided cost so as to not increase costs for the rate payer. While rate payers may not notice decreases in rates, the goal is to stabilize and prevent drastic rate increases. Renewable energy projects aim to stabilize electricity rates and reduce our overall dependence on off-Island power.
QUESTION:
What is the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation doing to protect wooded areas and wetlands in the development area?
ANSWER:
In general, PEIEC must comply with all municipal, provincial, and federal regulations and we are committed to mitigating the impacts to the affected wetlands in the development area. First by avoiding sensitive environmental components and then by minimizing of unavoided impacts. PEIEC is committed to the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation and the underpinned commitment to “no net loss of wetland function”. This may be accomplished by restoration or enhancement of degraded or low function wetland or outright creation of wetland habitat.
QUESTION:
What is the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation doing to protect the bird and bat population in the development area?
ANSWER:
PEIEC has acquired specialized radar equipment to supplement our acoustic bird and bat studies and is committed to long term monitoring of these populations surrounding the development area in Eastern Kings. This includes baseline monitoring, construction monitoring as well as multiple years of post commissioning studies. The data and conclusions of these studies will allow PEIEC to make the most informed decisions with respect to operation of the wind farm and protecting the bird and bat populations. The studies performed at the existing Eastern Kings and Hermanville farms demonstrate very low avian and bat mortality rates and are considered very low relative to other operating wind farms.
QUESTION:
What is the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation doing to support the local community and its landowners?
ANSWER:
PEIEC has proposed a 3 tiered system for compensating landowners in close proximity to the proposed wind turbines. The financial benefits paid to landowners represents ~2.5% of the overall project gross revenues and are paid quarterly. There are over 40 landowners with parcels who have decided to participate in the project and will receive financial compensation. Of these 40 landowners and parcels, it is estimated that ~70% of them reside in Eastern Kings year round. In addition to the landowner compensation amounts, a development agreement with the Rural Municipality of Eastern Kings is pending review by the Community Council and will provide long term stable funding to the area.