Large scale wind power in Pincher Creek.
Wind energy is an emerging economic influence. The BR was not positioned for the first wave of wind farm development in southwest Alberta in the early 2000s due to distance away from transmission lines. New opportunity will be available when the new high-voltage line (currently being planned by AltaLink) is built through Cardston County. The County is interested in further leveraging the wind resource by encouraging development of related service businesses, manufacturing and knowledge-based labour force.
Wind energy production has been a growth industry in the area. The number of turbines is expected to increase from 251 in 2007 to 1001 by 2057. However, the actual area of land used for this projected growth is only 85 hectares (210 ac).
Control effects:
- In the future, it is estimated that, 85% of wind turbines will be located on cultivated land; 15% will be placed on grasslands.
- Loss of native prairie due to construction of service roads to wind farms and the spread of invasive plants are the primary environmental effects of this land use.
- The visual impact of the turbines.
© Dr. Robert Berdan, 2011. View of wind farms from along highway 507 west of Pincher Creek.
Heidi Eijgel of Windy Coulee Canadian Horses talks about what it’s like being a rancher living next to a wind farm near Pincher Creek, Alberta. Heidi’s horse farm is surrounded by the Summerview Wind Farm consisting of 38 Vestas wind turbines, each rated at 1.8 MW, for a total capacity of 70 MW — enough to power about 24,000 homes. Heidi was worried about habitat, fescue grassland, noise and other factors. This is the story of her experience working and living next to big wind.
