The K2 Wind Power Project (K2 Wind) has begun hiring workers for the construction of one of Ontario’s most promising renewable energy projects following a ruling by the Environmental Review Tribunal, which dismissed the appeal of K2’s Renewable Energy Approval.
The 270 megawatt (MW) K2 wind power project will use 140 Ontario-made wind turbines. Over 1,000 workers from across southwestern Ontario will be involved in the manufacturing and assembly of the wind turbines, site construction and operations. K2 Wind held an employment and supplier recruiting event in Goderich on February 12. Over 270 people attended the event, which was designed to engage workers and companies in the area and region. Expressions of interest in available positions can be emailed to [email protected].
Upon completion, the K2 wind power project will generate clean, renewable energy equal to the needs of approximately 100,000 Ontario homes each year. Once in operation, K2 Wind is expected to inject between $5 and $6 million in direct spending into the local economy each year of its operation. K2 Wind is being developed jointly by Samsung Renewable Energy, Inc. (Samsung), Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Development) and Capital Power LP (Capital Power).
“We conduct a great deal of preparation for our projects, working with the community to build the best project possible – and we’re pleased the tribunal agreed with that position,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Development. “As the construction process begins, we’re looking to hire for hundreds of jobs at the K2 Wind project, which will use 140 Ontario-made wind towers and turbine blades manufactured in Tillsonburg and Windsor, respectively. We look forward to being good neighbors for the long-term and making meaningful contributions to community-based initiatives and local families.”
“Samsung is thankful to be working with the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh on the construction of this important project,” said Ki-Jung Kim, Executive Vice President, Samsung C & T Corporation. “We are proud to produce hundreds of megawatts of clean energy, create thousands of high-skilled jobs and provide millions of dollars in community investment, all of which will benefit real people in the community.”
“This decision enables K2 Wind to invest millions of dollars into the community in the form of property taxes, community benefits, landowner lease payments, local contracting and employment,” said Paul Wendelgass, Project Lead for Capital Power. “Moving ahead with this project will help provide employment and business opportunities to the community and bring long term benefits to the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.”
K2 Wind has created a Community Benefits Fund Agreement with the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh to deliver approximately $15 million in funding for community initiatives over the next 20 years. K2 Wind will generate more than $3.2 million in annual revenue to some 90 farm families through land lease agreements and other benefits. In addition, K2 Wind’s Community Renewable Energy Benefit will provide an annual payment of $1500 to the owner of any residence located within one kilometre of Project infrastructure during the Project’s operation. More information about the Project is available at www.K2Wind.ca.
Initial construction activities are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2014, with commercial operation anticipated in the second half of 2015. Power from the project will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority.
Samsung Renewable Energy is creating clean, renewable energy for generations to come. Together with our partners, Samsung is making a $5-billion investment in Ontario to create the world’s largest cluster of wind and solar power. Our investments will create 900 direct renewable energy manufacturing jobs and 9,000 high-skilled jobs in Ontario. Built on Samsung C&T’s commercial and technical expertise and the success of its renewable energy projects in several countries – including the United States and Europe – Samsung is creating real jobs, through real investment, benefitting real people.
Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Development) is a leader in developing renewable energy and transmission assets. Pattern Development operates and manages wind power projects through its affiliated public entity, Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern Energy). With a long history in wind energy, Pattern Development’s highly-experienced team has developed, financed and placed into operation more than 3,000 MW of wind power projects. A strong commitment to promoting environmental stewardship drives the Company’s dedication in working closely with communities to create premier renewable energy projects. Pattern Development has offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, New York, and Toronto.
Capital Power (TSX: CPX) is a growth-oriented North American power producer headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. The company develops, acquires, operates and optimizes power generation from a variety of energy sources. Capital Power owns more than 2,600 megawatts of power generation capacity at 14 facilities across North America and owns 371 megawatts of capacity through a power purchase agreement. An additional 490 megawatts of owned generation capacity is under construction or in advanced development in Alberta and Ontario.
