Minto residents hear concerns about proposed wind turbines

HARRISTON – Wind turbine development remains a conversation among Minto residents since Prowind, a renewable energy company based in Germany, approached council in June about the possibility of developing wind and solar projects in the town.

Helmut Schneider, vice president of Ontario operations, said during Prowind’s first public meeting on June 25 that the company is gathering public input before determining project feasibility. 

Wind Concerns Ontario representative and North Perth resident Warren Howard presented to a room full of Minto residents at the Harriston Legion on Sept. 28. Minto dairy farmer Hans Dekker hosted the event to provide another perspective, after Prowind held two local information meetings.

Howard’s presentation highlighted potential impacts of wind turbines, such as noise, land use, municipal costs, decommissioning and agreements between developers and landowners.

Wind Concerns Ontario provides information and support to local groups concerned about wind turbine development, Howard said.

Prowind is exploring a potential project in Minto as it looks to submit a proposal through the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) procurement process. The company is considering a 70-megawatt project with about 10 turbines, though the exact size and number have not yet been determined.

Howard explained modern turbines can be significantly larger than those installed during earlier rounds of wind development in Ontario.

He used a six-megawatt turbine as an example, saying a typical turbine could have a hub height of about 167 metres, with blades extending another 82 metres, for a total height of approximately 249 metres.

“These are huge,” Howard said, comparing the height to the 298-metre Bank of Montreal tower in Toronto.

Howard raised concerns about the amount of land and infrastructure required for a wind project. In addition to the turbine itself, he said projects require roads, collector lines, transformers and other infrastructure.

He discussed audible noise, low-frequency noise and infrasound, which he said can contribute to issues including annoyance and sleep disturbance.

Howard criticized Ontario’s current setback requirements, which require turbines to be at least 550 metres from a residential receptor. He said that’s based on audible noise and dates back to 2009, when turbines were smaller. He pointed to research from the Polish Public Health Institute, saying it recommended greater distances for certain types of turbine noise.

“The total noise, they’re saying, is one kilometre to three kilometres,” Howard said, referring to low-frequency noise and other adjustments.

Other potential concerns discussed included shadow flicker, ice throw, turbine failures, fires and the eventual decommissioning of turbines.

Howard said municipalities should consider the costs of roads, drainage, fire safety, consultants and other infrastructure before agreeing to a project.

And he warned residents about signing leases with wind developers. “Read the fine print,” Howard said. “The best advice is don’t sign [with] a company. Don’t sign a lease.”

He said turbine leases can give developers significant control over where turbines, roads, cables and other infrastructure are placed on a property.

Howard questioned who is responsible for removing turbines once a project reaches the end of its operating life.

The presentation touched on  potential financial benefits of wind development, including municipal tax revenue and community benefit payments, and Howard said municipalities should negotiate those benefits before providing municipal support for a project, while also considering associated costs.

Deputy mayor Jean Anderson was at the meeting and said council has not made a decision on the project. Prowind presented to council, but council has not voiced support or opposition to the proposal.

“They’re just exploring options,” Anderson  said. “We are neither positive nor negative.”

She encouraged residents to provide their views to council if they have concerns about the potential development.

Howard said a municipal support resolution would eventually be required for a project to move forward through the IESO process. The resolution would confirm the municipality’s support for the project and, once submitted, it could not simply be withdrawn, he noted. 

According to Howard, the municipal support resolution process could come forward in 2027, followed by an agricultural impact assessment. He said an IESO contract could be awarded in 2028, with further phases of the assessment, bylaw changes and permits following before construction potentially begins in 2029 or 2030.

Construction, if ultimately approved, could occur toward the end of the decade, with the project potentially beginning to provide municipal benefits in the early 2030s.

After a question-and-answer period, Dekker asked residents to help organize a local group to provide what he described as “another voice” in the discussion surrounding wind development.

Dekker said he and a neighbour had started organizing the group because they wanted residents to have access to information beyond the presentations hosted by Prowind.

“I thought we gotta start somewhere,” Dekker said. He encouraged residents to volunteer, distribute petitions and display signs, which were for sale at the event, opposing the potential development.

Howard also encouraged residents to stay engaged with the process and speak with candidates and council members about the issue during the municipal election campaign.

“This is a big issue for the [town],” Dekker said. “And we want to make sure we get an informed decision.”