Henvey Inlet will be home to the largest First Nation wind project in Canada.
In a media release on Tuesday December 26th , Pattern Energy Group announced that it had partnered with Henvey Inlet First Nation to secure financing worth $1 billion to build the project on First Nation Reserve No. 2.
The site is located on the northeast shore of Georgian Bay.
The joint venture will be a 50-50 partnership between Pattern Energy and Nigig Power Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Henvey First nation.
Henvey Inlet Wind will have 87 turbines producing 300 megawatts of power, making it the largest wind project in Ontario.
Once completed in early 2019, the wind farm will supply about 100,000 homes with clean power.
A 20-year purchase agreement with Independent Electricity System Operator ensures the sale of 100 percent of the power produced.
In a press release, Henvey Inlet First Nation Chief Wayne McQuabbie says the project will preserve the watershed and benefit the Magnetawan and Shawanaga First Nations with jobs and income.
Construction of the project is projected to create 500 new jobs and will employ 15 permanent full-time staff once it’s operational.
No start date has been announced.