Saint John Energy revealed plans for a significant solar farm project last summer, touted as the largest of its kind in New Brunswick. However, a newly announced project aims to surpass this milestone by 15 times. The Cookville Solar Project, introduced last week, vows to deliver up to 150 megawatts of power to the provincial grid whenever the sun shines. Proponents estimate that it could generate enough electricity annually to cater to 12,500 households without emitting any greenhouse gases.
The initiative is a collaboration between the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council and BNRG Renewables, an Ireland-based renewable energy developer. Situated in Cookville, about 15 kilometers north of Sackville in the municipality of Tantramar, the solar farm is proposed on a 400-hectare site. The company plans to install around 340,000 solar panels, covering approximately 740 acres of land, with most properties owned by the Acton family, who have been farming the area for generations.
The project’s construction timeline, as outlined in environmental impact assessment documents submitted to the province, spans 18 to 24 months, with completion slated for mid-2029. It is anticipated to operate for about 40 years before decommissioning. The development also includes the construction of a communications tower and an electrical substation at the site’s southern end, where an N.B. Power transmission line intersects the property.
NB Power has not yet finalized an agreement to purchase power from the project, having issued a call for 400 megawatts of renewable energy projects in May of the previous year. The utility awarded a 200-megawatt deal to Brighton Mountain Wind, a subsidiary of J.D. Irving Ltd., in December. While 14 other proposals for large-scale renewable projects are still under consideration, the Cookville Solar Project signifies a significant step towards sustainable energy production in the region.