Samsung and Pattern Development have entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for their upcoming North Kent Wind project in Ontario, Canada.
The 100-megawatt wind project is to be developed in Chatham-Kent, a regional municipality, beginning next year.
It is expected to fetch benefits for the municipality including new jobs, business for local contractors, property tax, and community benefits contribution of $4 million.
In addition, the project will generate about $5 million in tax revenue over 20 years.
For Samsung, North Kent Wind is its sixth wind project. It is part of the company’s $5 billion green energy investment agreement with Ontario.
According to a statement, about 200 skilled workers will be required on site when construction of the wind farm reaches peak.
The facility will also require about 10 permanent workers once it becomes operational.
The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2017.
Samsung and Pattern propose to enlist local contractors such as Entegrus for construction and operations as well as for lifetime maintenance contracts.
Further, Chatham-Kent municipality also gets the option to purchase 15 percent equity interest in the project.
It will provide the local body recurring incremental revenue to fund projects of priority.
Once completed, North Kent Wind project will generate clean energy to meet the electricity needs of approximately 35,000 Ontario homes annually, based on average annual residential energy use in Ontario.
Ajith Kumar S