Smoky River Wind

News Project information Preliminary Schedule Photos Regulatory Process Community Benefits Project Consultation Vendors and Suppliers Contact

The Smoky River Wind Project is being proposed by ABO Wind Canada Ltd. and will have an expected capacity of 160MW. Smoky River Wind will provide a cost-effective source of enough clean energy for approximately 65,000 homes and will contribute to increasing Alberta’s percentage of electricity generation by renewable energy.

The Project would displace approximately 300,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, which amounts to 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 over the life of the Project. The Smoky River Wind Project Development Area was selected due to favourable wind speeds, land topography, grid capacity and the ability to sign land for project infrastructure. A meteorological tower was erected in the summer of 2022 to verify the wind resource.

Development
Current status
Permitting process
Construction
Operation

News

November 2023: Invitation to Open House

Please join ABO Wind Canada to learn about and discuss the latest updates for our 160 MW renewable wind project located between the town of Falher and village of Nampa. Refreshments will be provided.

Date: Wednesday, November 01, 2023
Where:  Jean Côté Community Hall, 4902 50th Ave, Jean Côté
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Download the invitiation here.

April 2023: Invitation to Open House

Please join ABO Wind Canada to learn about and discuss the latest updates for our 160 MW renewable wind project located between the town of Falher and village of Nampa. Refreshments will be provided.

Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Where: Falher Regional Recreation Complex: 32 Central Avenue N.W.
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Download the invitation

February 2023: Launching our Smoky River website

On February 1st, 2023 our new website Smoky River Wind went live. We are happy to answer your questions and hear your feedback!

 

Posters from our Open Houses

Please click on an image to see a larger version. 
You will find a pdf version under Download.


November 2023 Open House Posterboards

Welcome to our Open House!
Welcome to our Open House!
Seven stage connection process
Seven stage connection process
Project Timeline
Project Timeline
Condition of Land/Soil after the Project
Condition of Land/Soil after the Project
Human Health, Public Safety and Livestock
Human Health, Public Safety and Livestock
Wind Turbine Sound
Wind Turbine Sound
Shadow Flicker
Shadow Flicker
Visualizations
Visualizations
Visualizations
Visualizations
Visualizations
Visualizations
Visualizations Overview Map
Visualizations Overview Map
Map
Map
Noise and Shadow Flicker
Noise and Shadow Flicker

 

 

April 2023 Open House Posterboards

ABO Wind Company Profile
ABO Wind Company Profile
Smoky River Wind Project Preliminary Map
Smoky River Wind Project Map
Smoky River Wind Project: Project Overview
Smoky River Wind Project Project Overview
Smoky River Wind Project: Project Benefits
Smoky River Wind Project Project Benefits
Smoky River Wind Project Consultation
Smoky River Wind Project Consultation
Smoky River Environmental Studies
Smoky River Environmental Studies
How does a wind turbine work?
How does a wind turbine work?
Smoky River Wind Project: Project Timeline
Smoky River Wind Project Project Timeline
Emissions of various energy sources
Emissions of various energy sources
Condition of Land/Soil after the Project
Condition of Land/Soil after the Project
Decommissioning
Decommissioning
Noise
Noise
Shadow Flicker
Shadow Flicker

 

 

 

Project information

The Project is proposed on privately-owned land between the Village of Nampa and the Town of Falher, east of Highway 2 (see map). The Project would comprise of up to 27 turbines, each with an expected nameplate capacity of 6.2 to 7.2 MW, a hub height of 100 to 120 metres and a blade length of 80 to 90 metres.

The Project Development Area (see map) covers approximately 7,000 acres, in the Municipal District (M.D.) of Smoky River. The locations of the turbines are currently being assessed and are influenced by many factors including; environmental constraints, stakeholder feedback, and other setback requirements. ABO Wind will provide the forecasted turbine locations in future public materials as information becomes available.

 

Site Location

 

Setbacks

There are several setbacks that ABO Wind considers in order to minimize impact to the community and the environment. These include:

Potential Impacts and Environmental Studies

ABO Wind is working with third-party experts, McCallum Environmental, to perform the required technical and environmental studies needed to support the siting of wind turbines. The studies include:

Noise

The Project will have sound-generating infrastructure, which includes wind turbines and a substation. ABO Wind 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.

Shadow Flicker

Shadow flicker can occur at certain times of the year when the sun passes behind a turbine’s moving blades, casting a shadow over a window. Shadow flicker will be modelled and considered through the layout design process for the Project.

Visual Simulations

Visual simulations will be prepared to demonstrate how the Project will appear on the landscape from various viewpoints.

Environment

Environmental field studies commenced in April 2022 and concluded in November 2022. Studies included vegetation, wildlife, and wetlands. ABO Wind will submit the findings to Alberta Environment and Parks following all necessary reporting.

Historical Resources

Consultation with Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women for consideration of any potential archaeological, historical and paleontological sites in the Project Development Area. ABO will look to receive clearance for the Project under the Historical Resources Act. 

Decommissioning/Reclamation

The project will have an operational life of approximately 25 years, or longer. After this time, ABO Wind will adhere to ‘The Conservation and Reclamation Directive for Renewable Energy Operations’ (AEP, 2018) that stipulates the requirements needed to reclaim the land after the Project has been decommissioned.

Download

 

Preliminary Schedule

Timeline Activity
Spring 2022 to Fall 2022 Environmental Field Studies
February 2023 Public Notification and Project Information Package 1
April 2023 Open House 1
October 2023 Project Information Package 2
November 2023 Open House 2
February 2024 Submission of Renewable Energy Project Submission Report to Alberta Environment and Parks
Q2 2024 AUC Application Submission
Q4 2024 AUC Review and Approval
Q2 2025 Start of Construction (assuming two seasons for construction)
Q4 2026 Commencement of Operation
Schedule is preliminary and is subject to change

Photos

 

Regulatory Process

A Renewable Energy Project Submission Report will be completed for Smoky River and submitted to Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) for approval. Once this report is issued an application is made to the AUC under Rule 007 – Application – Wind Power Plants 10 Megawatts or greater – urban and rural.

In addition, but not limited to, the following municipal, provincial and federal bodies will be engaged for permits and/or approvals that may be required for the Project:

Community Benefits

ABO Wind commits to creating a lasting positive impact in the communities where we develop renewable projects. The Project will generate the following positive benefits for the surrounding community:

Project Consultation

The consultation process is guided by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), Rule 007. ABO Wind 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.

If you have questions about the Regulatory and Consultation Process, you can contact the AUC at 403-592-4500 or info@auc.ab.ca or visit their website at www.auc.ab.ca.

Vendors and Suppliers

If you are a Vendor interested in providing your goods and/or services to ABO Wind Canada Ltd. we ask that you submit your company information via our ‘Supplier Registration Form’ located here: 

Contact

Dave Berrade

Social Impact and Engagement Lead ABO Wind

Dave Berrade

Tel. +1 (587) 576-5339
dave.berrade(at)abo-wind.com
www.smokyriverwind.com

News Project information Preliminary Schedule Photos Regulatory Process Community Benefits Project Consultation Vendors and Suppliers Contact