A farm with solar power panels and wind turbines in Lambton Shores. Image: Megan McDonnell
By Megan McDonnell
Suncor Energy partnered with NextEra Energy Canada in early 2015 to create the Cedar Point Wind Power Project, a 20-year term power project contract with the Ontario government to install wind turbines in Lambton County, Ontario, located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, according to Suncor’s website.
The Cedar Point Wind Power Project operates in three Lambton County municipalities: Warwick, Lambton Shores and Plympton-Wyoming. The project area is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Sarnia, Ontario. Image: Suncor Energy
The Canadian Wind Energy Association, a non-profit group promoting sustainable growth of wind energy, says that wind energy accounts for five percent of Canada’s energy, which is enough power for over three million homes.
However, some local residents of Lambton County feel that the turbines present a major problem for people who live nearby.
They have released data for wind turbine effects on local birds and bats, and formed action groups to raise public awareness.
A wind turbine in Lambton Shores, near the northeastern shore of Lake Huron. Image: Megan McDonnell
Jennifer Pate, owner of the Windmill Lake Wake & Eco Park in Bayfield, Lambton County, says that many residents feel that there wasn’t much transparency when installing the turbines, and as a result many are upset.
“It’s a good thing,” Pate says of the turbines. “But the way it was done could have been better. There could have been more communication.”