Fox Meadows Wind

In July 2023, FMWI published updated information on the Fox Meadows project. Download the new brochure here.

Please join ABO Wind Canada to learn about and discuss the latest updates for our 165 MW renewable wind project located between the towns of Provost and Wainwright, south of Edgerton. Refreshments will be provided.

Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Where: Agricultural Community Hall in Edgerton: 4916 50th Street
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Download the invitation 

In December 2022, ABO Wind published updated information on the Fox Meadows project. Download the new brochure here. 

On July 15, 2022 our new website Fox Meadows Wind went live. We are happy to answer your questions and hear your feedback!

The main components of a wind turbine that can be recycled, repurposed, or salvaged include: steel tower sections, steel reinforcement, electrical equipment and cables, precious metals, and concrete. Other materials or pieces of equipment that cannot be recycled, repurposed, or salvaged will be disposed of according to local/provincial regulations. Two of the largest turbine manufacturers have recently created the first set of turbine blades that are fully recyclable. The use of these blades will be evaluated for this project. The value of the recycled materials can offset as much as 70% of the decommissioning costs.

The impact on birds by the Project is studied by Maskwa Environmental Consulting Ltd. (Maskwa Environmental). Bird migration studies to date have shown a healthy population of migrating birds within and surrounding the Project area. Biologists from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) will review the results of these bird surveys and will determine if acceptable and if the impacts can be mitigated. ABO Wind is developing a comprehensive environmental protection plan, which is inclusive of operational mitigation to minimize disturbance to birds and other wildlife and wildlife habitat in the Project area. ABO Wind will work with AEPA and will complete a minimum of 3 years of post- construction bird mortality monitoring.

ABO Wind AG is funding all the costs for project development. Once the Project is ready for construction, ABO Wind AG would likely work with banks to secure project financing. We have good relationships with reputable Canadian and European banks. Fox Meadows is viable without government subsidy or tax credits, however if tax credits or subsidies become available prior to the time of construction, then we will assess the eligibility and could utilize these available incentives, similar to other industries in Canada.

Results show that in research that considered ~3000 life cycle assessment studies on utility-scale electricity generation, wind energy produces significantly less grams of CO2 per kilowatt hour than fossil fuels. When taking into account the extracting of resources, manufacturing, operations and decommissioning of projects coal produces almost 22 times as much CO2 (greenhouse gas) than a wind and battery project. Natural gas produces more than 10.5 times as much.

There are over 75,000 operational wind turbines in Canada and United States and there are now over 100 peer-reviewed published scientific articles on the potential for health impacts living in proximity to wind turbines. Although audible sound, infrasound and low frequency noise (LFN) are emitted from wind turbines it is not at a level that causes health impacts, headaches, nausea, sleep problems and tinnitus. LFN or infrasound are a common occurrence produced from wind itself and other human sources including road traffic, refrigerators, air conditioners, farm machinery, and airplanes. Alberta’s AUC Rule 012 and the FMWI setback distances from homes will ensure the protection of public health and safety from wind turbine sound.

Additional information can be found at the Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise Study website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health- canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/everyday-things- emit-radiation/wind-turbine-noise/wind-turbine-noise-health- study-summary-results.html

We find that allowing attendees to seek out topic-specific tables will facilitate their questions being addressed one on one by topic experts without being rushed for time. This method also allows for more questions by more people, many of whom do not want to present their questions openly to the entire room. This walk-through Poster Board format allows for attendees to arrive at any time during the open house hours without having missed information that was presented only at the beginning of the event.

No project is predetermined. The provincial regulatory system is designed to review and assess any project and ultimately decide if a project is in the public’s best interest. Our Project must first be reviewed by both Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) and the regulated Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), where they evaluate the Project relative to certain criteria such as environmental and social impacts. There are also municipal development permits that must be acquired before a project is able to be constructed and commence operations.

Fox Meadows is 100% privately-funded by ABO Wind AG and is not subsidized by the Government.

The owner of a project is responsible for reclamation of the project and must meet provincial guidelines, at the time of reclamation. Wind projects benefit from the fact that the fuel source (wind) is free. If a company operating a wind project goes bankrupt, the inherent value of a project such as this is retained in the form of: an existing connection to the electrical grid, a free fuel source, and an opportunity to update the technology to continue operations.

Please contact David Berrade at dave.berrade@abo-wind.com with any concerns. FMWI would like the opportunity to discuss each concern to understand them, provide potential resolutions and track this information to include with the submission of our application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). In addition, individuals can express their concerns directly to the AUC by visiting www.auc.ab.ca and reviewing the document “Participating in the AUC’s independent review process to consider facility applications”.

We expect a workforce of between 75 to 100 individuals during the estimated 18-month construction period. There will be approximately $70 million of goods and service contracts going to Alberta companies, with preference going to qualified local entities in proximity to the MDs of Wainwright and Provost. Goods and services needed for the Project include: steel, concrete, gravel, accommodations, surveying, snow removal, hydro vac, security, waste/recycling, civil construction, fuel and many more.

The Project is expected to provide tens of millions of dollars in municipal tax revenue over the anticipated 30-year life of the Project. This revenue will be split between the MDs of Provost and Wainwright.

Apart from the royalties that landowners with Project infrastructure on their property will receive, ABO Wind will collaborate with local communities to provide monetary support from a Fox Meadows Community Benefit Fund.

The proposed 165 MW Fox Meadows Project is located on privately-owned land between the Town of Provost and the Village of Edgerton.

ABO Wind was founded in 1996 and is now a leading developer of renewable energy projects. ABO Wind opened its Canadian headquarters in Calgary in 2017 and focuses on developing wind, solar, energy storage, and green hydrogen projects throughout Canada. The ABO Wind Canada team is supported by over 900 technical experts from across the globe. For more information, please visit: www.abo-wind.com.

Fox Meadows is at a preliminary stage. We have performed desktop studies, some field studies and are currently verifying the wind. The first notification to the public went out in July 2022.

The Project is planned to produce approximately 165 megawatts of electricity from as many as 25 turbines, depending on technology. This is enough electricity for more than 65,000 homes.

At this time, construction is forecast for the fall of 2024. This is a preliminary construction date and can be influenced by a number of factors that include; the regulatory process, stakeholder feedback, the material supply chain and unforeseen events.

The consultation process is guided primarily by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), Rule 007. ABO commits to forthright and meaningful communication that is timely and respectful. Through the ongoing provision of project information, we aim to incite discussion with interested parties and commit to the thoughtful consideration of feedback into our project planning in order to mitigate and avoid impact. Consultation will continue throughout the life of the Project. All correspondence related to the project will be recorded and submitted as part of the Participation Involvement Program for the AUC Application.

Updates will be provided based on the determination of new, relevant information that is essential for stakeholders to understand the Project.

The Project will have sound-generating infrastructure, which include the wind turbines, substation and potential energy storage. ABO will conduct a third-party noise impact assessment as per Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Rule 012: Noise Control guidelines to ensure sound generated from the Project will be below required levels.

A community benefit fund will be created to support local organizations and initiatives.

The municipalities of Wainwright and Provost will receive a substantial amount in property taxes from the Project each year.

The Project will create short-term and long-term jobs and contracts for site clearing, road building, electrical, construction and concrete work. In addition, the Project will need regular maintenance throughout its operational life.

The Project proposed will be entirely on privately-owned land.

We respect that some individuals may have concerns regarding health. The Project will be designed to meet or exceed all provincial regulations and guidelines currently in place to protect human health.

Health Canada with Statistics Canada and other external experts conducted a Community Noise and Health Study. The results released in 2014 indicated that wind turbine noise was not linked to self-reported medical illnesses and health conditions. For more information and other studies, https://canwea.ca/wind-facts/your-health/.

As part of the regulatory approval process, a comprehensive environmental study is being undertaken by a third-party consultant that will assess wildlife in the area following the Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) Wildlife Directive. Results from the studies will be inputted into the design of the Project and shared to AEP for review.

The Province of Alberta has committed to have 30% renewable energy electricity generation by 2030. The province also supports the Canadian government’s goal to achieve a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050. Renewable Electricity Act, 2020; (Renewable Electricity Act - Open Government (alberta.ca))

Please. send questions and/or concerns to us through the contact form at www.foxmeadowswind.com or contact our Social Impact and Engagement Lead with the number provided below.