Nation Rise Wind Farm Invites Local Businesses to Learn About Project

(Crysler, ON) October 3, 2018 – EDP Renewables Canada Ltd. (EDPR) saw a strong turnout at an open house meeting for local businesses on Tuesday, October 2, at the Crysler Community Centre. The public event was an opportunity for local businesses to meet with company representatives, learn more about the project and the various services that will be needed to construct and operate the wind farm, and how to qualify to work on the project. The wind farm is being proposed in the Municipality of North Stormont within the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry.

"I'm pleased to see so many businesses interested in learning more about the wind farm," stated Nathan Roscoe, Project Manager at EDPR. "There are a lot of qualified contractors in the area, and this meeting helped us better understand the local resources that are available and how they can be utilized during wind farm construction and operations."

More than two dozen local businesses were represented at the event. Businesses that were invited to attend include those that provide the following or similar services that could assist with the construction and operation of the wind farm: civil contractors, concrete supply and delivery, gravel supply and delivery, heavy equipment operators, general labourers, excavation and restoration, accommodations, catering, vehicle equipment and rentals, fuel supply, vehicle and equipment maintenance, and support services for the construction offices (security, sanitation, portable restrooms, etc.).

"Constructing wind farms is labor-intensive," stated Andrew Syverson, Construction Project Manager at EDPR. "We want local businesses to benefit as much as possible from the construction and ongoing operation of the wind farm."

The wind farm will create up to 200 jobs during construction as well as several permanent jobs to operate and maintain the wind farm once it is in operation. While the majority of employment opportunities will occur during construction, there will be ongoing needs for local contractors to provide snow removal, road maintenance, cleaning, and other services throughout wind farm operations.

Nation Rise Wind Farm represents a capital investment of approximately $170 million. EDPR has already entered into a Community Benefit Fund agreement with North Stormont Township for an annual contribution of $300,000, and once operational, the project will contribute approximately $170,000 more in annual property taxes. The company's South Branch Wind Farm, located in Brinston, is less than one-third the size of Nation Rise Wind Farm and resulted in more than $4 million of direct economic spending locally.

Wind turbines complement the area's dairy farms, corn and soybean fields because they allow for existing agricultural operations to continue around them, providing farmers with an additional stable, guaranteed revenue stream.