A 30-turbine wind farm proposed for northwest of Campbell River is among 10 resource projects in the province anticipated to be fast-tracked in an effort to boost job creation in rural B.C.
According to a Feb. 4 media release from the province, 10 projects, including the Brewster Wind Project, represent a total investment of $20 billion and will employ approximately 8,000 people across the province.
Premier David Eby said these projects emerged after government asked major business organizations to submit a list of projects that could be accelerated and quickly employ workers. These are projects "not dependent on the American market," he said.
READ MORE: Lack of formal assessment won't mean lack of care, Island wind farm firm says
"We have identified 10 projects that we believe can be moved along quite quickly and get shovels in the ground, get people hired around construction," Eby said.
Eby said the preliminary list represents "just a fraction" of the identified projects. He added these projects are located in "smaller, rural and remote communities that are going to be disproportionately affected by these tariffs."
Eby did not give details about the revised timelines for the projects, but added that they would involve legislation.
Called the Brewster Wind Project, the plan outlines a capacity of up to 200 megawatts with approximately 30 wind turbines. The project was submitted by Toronto-based Capstone Infrastructure as part of BC Hydro's 2024 Call To Power.
According to a website about the wind project, up to 275 workers are expected to be required during peak construction, with the project involving a capital investment of more than $600 million.
The wind project is a partnership with the Wei Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River, and will be "guided by Laich-kwil-tach values and traditions, with a commitment to stewardship of the land and community," reads the website.
The provincial government announced in December that wind-farm projects would no longer be subject to environmental assessments. According to current provincial regulations, wind projects exceeding 50 megawatts or with more than 15 turbines require an EA.
The facility will produce enough renewable energy to supply over 56,000 average households in B.C. each year, reads the site.
-with files from Wolf Depner
