Toronto: Northland Power Inc., the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the Bkejwanong Territory (Walpole Island First Nation) announced June 2 that the Independent Electricity System Operator had confirmed that the 100 MW Grand Bend Wind Farm achieved commercial operation on April 19.
The project, located near the eastern shore of Lake Huron, is a 50/50 partnership between Northland and Giiwedin Noodin FN Energy Corporation, which was created to hold the equity interest of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Bkejwanong Territory in the project.
“It has been a journey of collaboration for Giiwedin Noodin and our partner Northland Power to achieve COD on the Grand Bend Wind Farm. We look forward to years of benefits from this energy partnership,” said Graham Hoogterp, President Giiwedin Noodin FN Energy Corporation
The IESO awarded the project a 20 year contract under Ontario’s Feed-in-Tariff program for renewable energy. The wind farm consists of 40 Siemens wind turbines, and is expected to produce enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 30,000 Ontario homes.
Grand Bend is Northland’s second wind project completed under the Ontario FIT program. The 60 MW McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm on Manitoulin Island began operations in 2014, and is also a 50/50 partnership with local First Nations (the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising First Nations).
Giiwedin Noodin is a partnership between Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Bkejwanong (Walpole Island) First Nation. It is a single-purpose entity established to manage the affairs of the First Nations side of the Grand Bend Wind Farm.