Company will 'indemnify' property owners: official
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The Port Ryerse property owners being sued by their neighbours for leasing land to a wind turbine project have some high-powered help on their side.
That would be Boralex Inc. of Kingsley, Quebec, a green-energy giant with 500 megawatts of power under management and another 550 MWs in development.
Boralex is in the process of acquiring the Port Ryerse wind project. It consists of four turbines. Sponsor of the project is UDI Renewables of Nanticoke.
Adam Rosso, a project manager with Boralex, introduced himself to Norfolk council Tuesday night. He gave a slide presentation about Boralex and answered questions about the Port Ryerse turbines.
Afterward, Rosso was asked whether the recent proceeding against seven Port Ryerse property owners would alter Boralex’s intentions in Norfolk. Rosso was reluctant to speak about the situation because it is before the courts. However, he did say that Boralex is proceeding with the acquisition and that it will protect its lease holders.
“We plan on indemnifying our land owners,” Rosso said.
Rosso told council that the Port Ryerse installation will feature state-of-the-art turbine technology.
This includes direct-drive transmissions that are quieter than gear-box turbines. This next-generation technology relies, in part, on turbine props that are longer than usual. It also features the innovative use of rare-earth components.
Major parts for the turbines slated for Port Ryerse will be manufactured by Siemens of Tillsonburg. The new turbines are quieter, in part, because the blades don’t have to rotate as quickly to generate a standard amount of electricity.
Rosso told council that Boralex hasn’t closed the deal on the Port Ryerse installation but expects to take possession soon. He gave assurances that generating capacity in Port Ryerse will not expand beyond the four turbines approved by the province.
Port Ryerse property owners Heather and James Walters, Kathleen Pickard, Marlene and Larry Hoyt, John and Dona Coville, William Irvin and Ingrid Zyma-Irvin, David and Elaine Tobin, and Timothy and Inda Lyons recently filed suit against UDI Renewables and its lease holders.
They allege depreciated property values and loss of enjoyment of their property. They are seeking total damages in the amount of $7.5 million. The allegations have not been tested in court.
Boralex will play host to an open house related to the Port Ryerse turbine project at the Simcoe Recreation Centre Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m.
Monte Sonnenberg
519-426-3528 ext. 150
monte.sonnenberg@sunmedia.ca