If you’ve been watching the Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm project develop for the past year and a half, there’s a new milestone to report, the turbines are moving closer to becoming operational.
Partial commissioning took place last week, marking another step toward bringing the wind farm online. Commissioning takes place once the equipment is tested and approved for operation.
Jay Woodworth, Director of Business Development with Port Hawkesbury Paper, says “We did partial commissioning this past week. So what that means is we were able to complete both the high voltage transmission lines and that switchyard, which is good news.”
Unexpected incident causes delay
That work was originally expected to begin sooner, but an unexpected incident during the switchyard commissioning resulted in a minor repair and pushed the start of turbine commissioning back by about two weeks.
Woodworth says the issue isn’t considered significant.
“Not a big deal, just something else to repair.”
The important news for anyone following the project is that the delay isn’t expected to affect the overall timeline.
Woodworth says the project is still targeting December for the start of electricity generation.
“We’re looking to be moving electrons come December.”
Once turbine commissioning begins, the process won’t involve switching all 24 turbines on at once.
Each turbine will be commissioned individually. After that, five turbines will be placed into operation for testing while the independent system operator collects data.
Once that testing is approved, additional groups of five turbines can be brought online. Once all online, it is expected 168 megawatts of power will be generated.
Community involvement
For local residents who have been following the project, Woodworth also points to the community’s involvement throughout its development.
More than 100 people attended the most recent open house, giving residents an opportunity to see the site and learn more about the project firsthand.
With the transmission infrastructure and switchyard now commissioned, attention turns to the turbines themselves and the next major step toward the Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm producing electricity.
