Wind power projects may inspire local industry: NB Power

NB Power is hoping wind-power projects that two Alberta companies are bringing to the province will spur local companies to develop their own green energy plans.

But a clean-air activist says New Brunswick firms are late in jumping on the bandwagon.

Two new wind-energy projects, the Kent Hills and Fairfield Hill wind farms, both near Moncton, will be owned and operated by Alberta companies TransAlta Corp. and Vector Wind Energy.

NB Power spokesman Michel Losiersaid even though the projects are headed by companies based in Alberta, they will create local jobs,and spark the interest ofNew Brunswick companies that want to start their own energy projects down the road.

"It's feasible that over time, companies do develop projects like this," Losier said. "There are people with that kind of experience here locally in our engineering firms, for example. I don't know how long it would take, but it's entirely possible."

Conservation Council of New Brunswick spokesman David Coon said wind power in New Brunswick could be much better established if companies in the province had developed their expertise over the past decade.

Alberta companies have been thinking about wind power for a long time, Coon said.

"They saw that wind was going to take off as a major business opportunity and they got into it early," he said.

Losier said NB Power will make another wind-power announcement later this year, however, he won't yet discuss what company is behind that project, or where it is based.

An NB Power company official confirmed Friday that a delayed Grand Manan wind farm has been voided due to problems reaching project deadlines.