Two wind energy projects to be discussed via Six Nations community engagement process Six Nations of Grand River Territory – Six Nations Elected Council is pleased to announce the launch of community engagement to determine community support for two (2) proposed wind projects: Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm and Port Ryerse Wind Project.
Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm is anticipated to generate 25 megawatts in renewable energy which will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under the Feed in Tariff (FIT) Program. This project will be owned and operated by Gunn’s Hill Windfarm Inc. and will be located in the Township of Norwich, Oxford County. The proposed benefits include a potential 10% equity investment in the project which is estimated to generate revenue in excess of $3 million over 20 years, or a default royalty payment of $1,000 per MW/year for the 20 year term of the FIT Contract ($360,000). In addition, the developer is offering two (2) $4,000 annual post-secondary bursaries for the 20 year term of the FIT contract. Port Ryerse Wind Project is anticipated to generate 10 megawatts in renewable energy which will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under the FIT program. This project will be owned and operated by Port Ryerse Wind Farm Limited Partnership and will be located east of the hamlet of Port Ryerse in Norfolk County.
The proposed project benefits include a Royalty Payment of $750/MW/year for 20 years ($150,000); mentorship of an on-reserve Small FIT solar development and a proposed Joint Venture development of future non-contracted renewable energy projects within which Six Nations could potentially own up to 15% in each contemplated project. “I am very pleased that Six Nations Elected Council has been engaged by both of these renewable energy proponents our willingness to present these opportunities to our community demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work with our neighbor’s and partners to support net positive contributions to our environment and community”, said Chief Ava Hill.
The community engagement process has been designed to educate the Six Nations community about the financial, economic, and environmental impact associated with the project, and provides a community wide mechanism to gather feedback that will help guide the Six Nations Elected Council now and in the future. The community engagement process will run from January 13th to February 14th, 2014; the community meetings are scheduled to occur on January 23rd, February 1st and 12th.
The community meetings will provide further information and will include the opportunity for community members to have one-on-one discussions with staff. Community members can visit www.sixnationsfuture.com to get more information about the project and to share their feedback. Thursday, January 23, 2014 Information Session Six Nations Tourism Assembly Room 1-6pm Saturday, February 1, 2014 Information Session Six Nations Sports Den 11am-3pm Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Final Community Meeting Six Nations Community Hall 7-9pm * * * For more information please contact: Amy Lickers or Nicole Kohoko Six Nations Economic Development 519-753-1950 www.sixnationsfuture.com
