Samsung and Pattern Development Complete 100 MW Belle River Wind Power Facility in Ontario

The Belle River Wind power facility in Lakeshore, Ontario is now up and running. Samsung Renewable Energy, Inc. and Pattern Energy Group LP today announced their 100 megawatt (MW) Belle River Wind power facility has completed construction and is fully operational. Belle River Wind is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 35,000 Ontario homes each year, based on average annual residential energy use in Ontario.

"Samsung is proud to complete our fifth wind project under our Green Energy Investment Agreement with the government of Ontario," said Eskay Lee, Vice President, Samsung C&T. "Belle River Wind created more than 235 jobs during peak construction. Samsung and its partner are creating jobs and investing in the community which are benefiting real people in Lakeshore and across the province." 

"Pattern Development continues to grow in Canada. This is the fifth wind power facility we have completed in Ontario – and seventh across Canada – totaling nearly 1.3 gigawatts of operational capacity in the country, and we expect another project to reach completion this year in Quebec," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Development. "Belle River Wind is making a significant positive impact locally by generating millions of dollars in landowner payments, community benefits and tax revenue for the community around Lakeshore and for the local schools."

Built with Ontario-made products, Belle River Wind provided jobs for more than 235 Ontario workers during construction and 12 permanent positions during operations. Towers for the 40 Siemens 3.2 MW wind turbines were made at CS Wind's manufacturing facility in Windsor using Ontario steel. The 120 turbine blades were manufactured in Tillsonburg.

Belle River Wind is bringing strong economic benefits to the local community, including more than $2.5 million in direct spending over 20 years in property taxes and landowner lease royalties. In addition, Belle River Wind committed $6 million to the community of Lakeshore as part of a long-term Community Benefit Program, which supports education and other initiatives. This includes an initial contribution of $2 million and an annual contribution of $200,000 for the next 20 years.

Compared to coal-fired generation, the Belle River Wind facility will conserve enough water to meet the annual freshwater needs of nearly 9,000 Ontarians and avoid more than 300,000 tonnes of CO2 each year – the equivalent of taking more than 60,000 cars off the roads, according to emission rates from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and southwestern Ontario per capita water consumption from Environment Canada.

The Belle River Wind power facility operates under a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).