The study showed that when wind was not blowing in the Columbia River Gorge – where wind turbines are located – gale-force winds were hitting Vancouver Island’s northern tip, where Sea Breeze is involved in a $300 million, 99-MW wind farm project.
Manson hasn’t gotten much uptake on his Juan de Fuca transmission line proposal, and his company’s share price has dropped from a 52-week high of $0.16 on March 3 to a low of $0.07 on November 25.
But the company’s Vancouver Island wind farm project appears to be finally gaining some momentum. In June, French energy giant IPR – GDF Suez got involved in the project, which includes 55 wind turbines on the northern tip of the Island and a 35-kilometre transmission line linking the wind farm to Port Hardy.
As part of its deal with Sea Breeze, IPR – GDF Suez will pay the Vancouver company $12 million to acquire Sea Breeze assets in the Knob Hill project, which was renamed the Cape Scott Wind Farm.
Manson said construction will take place throughout 2012. The project is based on a 20-year electricity purchase agreement with BC Hydro. •
