The Digby Neck Wind Farm can produce enough energy to serve approximately 10,000 homes, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Nova Scotia by more than 79,000 tonnes a year. The Wind Farm became fully operational in December, 2010. The project received Environmental Assessment (EA) approval in August 2009 and a final site plan approval on July 16, 2010. To review these and related documents in detail, visit
gov.ns.ca/nse/ea. Currently in Nova Scotia, there are no guidelines for acceptable sound levels in conjunction with wind turbine placement; however, the World Health Organization recommends that community sound levels measured at people’s homes does not exceed 45 decibels during overnight hours and 50 decibels during the daytime. This project will be within these recommendations. NSPI will conduct a sound assessment once the site is operational. This project will be within these recommendations. An extensive bird and bat monitoring program will be implemented once the
project is completed. Annual reports detailing the information gathered will be submitted to the Nova Scotia Department of Environment. Approximately one third of the wind turbines will be equipped with lights according to Transport Canada and NavCanada’s requirements. Emera assumed full control of the the project in February of 2010 from Interwinds Corp. (formerly Skypower) and ScotianWindFields. In June, Emera transferred ownership to NS Power to complete the project. One of the many benefits of wind energy is that the costs are less variable than other types of generation which rely on fuel from the world markets. Projects like this will help us to stabilize power rates over the long term. |