Turbines are now spinning on Manitoba's newest and largest wind farm near St. Joseph. Premier Greg Selinger flipped the switch to begin production Tuesday, where 60 turbines will eventually provide enough energy to serve 50,000 homes.
"It's a thrill to start up the first of the turbines at this 138-megawatt wind farm and get the project up and running," said Selinger.
The St. Joseph wind farm is located about 100 kilometres south of Winnipeg and covers an area of 125 square kilometres. The turbines are set on towers 80 metres high and are expected to be fully operational within the next two months.
They will eventually contribute to a regional reduction of more than 350,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases, said the province.
Manitoba Hydro and Pattern Energy negotiated a 27-year power purchase agreement to make the project possible.
"The St. Joseph wind farm grows the province's portfolio of clean energy sources," said Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Bob Brennan. "It's a good fit with our hydroelectric system."
It's also a good fit for some local farmers.
Manitoba Hydro and Pattern Energy are paying farmers who allow the turbines to operate on their land. The organizations expect to pay out about $38 million over the next 27 years.
"I think it looks pretty cool," says farm owner Karen Braun, adding the turbines use only a small portion of her farmland so it's well worth getting involved.
The total cost of the wind farm is estimated at $345 million.
-with a report from CTV's Jon Hendricks
