ABOUT THE STIRLING WIND PROJECT

The Stirling Wind Project (SWP) began development in 2007 and it is located five kilometres northeast of the Village of Stirling. The SWP received an Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) approval for the 113-megawatt (MW) wind power plant, and a permit and licence for the Red Coat Substation in April 2019. Stirling Renewable Energy LP (SRELP) submitted a Letter of Enquiry (LOE) to the AUC for the SWP in Spring 2021, which addressed the recent changes made to the project as detailed in the latest newsletter. The changes received approval from the AUC in December 2021.

Due to the recent change in turbine model, the SWP has been split into two phases. The larger nameplate capacity of the new turbine model, Siemens 5.0MW, means that fewer turbines are required to meet the 113MW for the SWP. As a result, 5 of the SWP turbines will be built as a second phase (SWP II) to the project (up to 26 MW). While the total combined nameplate capacity of the SWP and SWP II will be higher, the two projects combined will have the same number of turbines (28) as previously approved by the AUC for the SWP.

The SWP will develop 23 turbines and the SWP II will develop 5 turbines. The turbine locations for both phases remain within 50 metres of the currently approved project. Layout map of the SWP and the SWP II are available in the Spring 2021 Newsletter. The nameplate capacity of the SWP will be 113 MW and the SWP II will be up to 26 MW. The SWP II is currently proceeding through the AESO interconnection process, which will determine the feasibility and final generation capacity of the project.

The SRELP has engaged engage local landowners and stakeholders through the SWP’s development process, and we will continue to do so in a way that respects the community member’s needs. We expect that the SWP will benefit the local community in a variety of ways, including creating contract opportunities for local businesses; increasing local spending on goods and services during the development, construction and operational phases; increasing County tax revenues; and providing funding for the surrounding community through a Community Development Fund (CDF). More information on the CDF will be provided at the upcoming virtual open house.

Construction at the SWP is anticipated to begin in Spring 2022. We will host a virtual open house prior to the start of construction, which will provide more information and updates on the upcoming construction activities. Once the date of the virtual open house has been determined, details will be posted on this website and published in local newspaper. Commercial operation is anticipated to begin in Winter 2023 for the SWP and the SWP II.