Suncor aims for third wind farm

this week announced it has submitted an application to the

(EUB) to build a 30-megawatt wind project near

.

The proposed Chin Chute Wind Power Project, 20 kilometres southwest of Taber, would include approximately 20 wind turbines built across 583 hectares of leased private land. The project would have the capacity to produce enough zero-emission electricity to power 14,000 Alberta homes and displace the equivalent of 88,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Pending regulatory and Suncor approvals, construction could begin this autumn.

The Municipal District of Taber has granted planning approval for the project and Suncor held an open house last month to share information with residents. The company is also conducting an environmental assessment. The project is subject to other reviews and approvals, including an application for funding under the federal Wind Power Production Incentive.

If approved, Chin Chute would be Suncor’s third wind power project and its second in southern Alberta. The company, along with partners Enbridge and EHN Wind Power Canada, built the 30-megawatt Magrath Wind Power Project in 2004. Suncor and Enbridge also own and operate the 11-megawatt SunBridge Wind Power Project near Gull Lake, Saskatchewan.