Moving forward with development
As of March 2012, construction on the Quality Wind Project (QWP) is half complete. We are pleased to report that the project has an excellent safety record and that work is proceeding on schedule.
With the additional project roads now built, transmission-line structures in place, and turbine concrete foundations poured, the focus now shifts to transporting the turbines to the site and assembling them to start generating clean energy for British Columbians.
Download the Quality Wind information sheet to learn more about the Quality wind turbines, including the assembly process.
Capital Power and our general contractor, Mortenson Construction, are fully committed to building a project safely and in a manner that respects the environment and values of the community.
Turbine transportation
Wind turbine components for the 79 wind turbine project are now being unloaded in Rycroft, Alberta. The storage area was selected for the components due to its proximity to the QWP site and its ability to accommodate the large volume of equipment. The components will be stored in Rycroft until needed for the turbine assembly scheduled throughout the summer and fall of 2012.
Each turbine is made up of nine large components—four tower sections, one nacelle, one hub and three blades—and are currently being manufactured by Vestas Wind Systems in Colorado.
Vestas is responsible for transportation of the wind turbines to the QWP site, using specialized highway transport equipment. By early summer, large mobile cranes will begin arriving at site to complete the task of lifting all of the turbine components into place.
Safety
The QWP site is on provincial Crown land. In and around the project area, there will be significant heavy equipment hauling turbine components to the site. Trained personnel are dedicated to protecting the environment and keeping the site safe for workers and the public.
We request the public respect that this is a construction site with the utmost attention paid to safety.
Consultation
Community input is helping us develop a project that is both environmentally sound and respectful of the values and interests of the local community. Capital Power is committed to ongoing, open dialogue with area residents and First Nations throughout the course of the project.
Project Facts
• Installed capacity is expected to be 142.2 MW from 79 Vestas 1.8 MW turbines;
• Each tower will be between 95 m and 100 m high (from base to centre of hub);
• 22 km, 230 KV transmission line, collector lines and substation;
• Visible from some areas, such as along Highway 52, but not from Tumbler Ridge;
• In March 2010, BC Hydro awarded Capital Power an Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) for the QWP (read the release).
Last Updated: May 1, 2012