The P.E.I. Energy Corporation is gearing up to replace the turbines at the oldest wind farm in the province, paving the way for a new era of larger and more powerful machines. The North Cape wind farm and the Aeolus turbine were trailblazing installations on P.E.I.’s northwestern tip in the early 2000s, marking a significant milestone for Atlantic Canada.
Blair Arsenault, operations engineer at the P.E.I. Energy Corporation, described North Cape as the “backbone of wind energy on P.E.I. over the past 25 years.” However, he noted that the turbines are displaying signs of aging, experiencing more frequent breakdowns and increasing downtime, which is impacting energy production.
As per Arsenault, the turbine’s maintenance and repair costs have significantly risen in recent years, signaling the need to transition towards newer technologies. The provincial government has initiated a tender for an environmental impact assessment to explore the retirement of the aging turbines and the introduction of a new wind project at the same locations.
North Cape’s 16 turbines were installed in two phases in 2001 and 2003, with Aeolus, a larger single turbine, added in 2003 and fully retrofitted in 2007. Arsenault highlighted that the equipment has been operational for more than two decades, leading to an increase in various types of failures affecting energy production.
While the specific replacement turbines are yet to be finalized, Arsenault emphasized that the new units will be considerably larger and more efficient. The current 0.66-megawatt North Cape turbines with a rotor diameter of 47 meters will be upgraded to newer models like the 4.2-megawatt turbines with rotor diameters of 138 meters used in the province’s latest wind farm in northeastern P.E.I.
The advanced technology in the new turbines enables them to withstand harsh weather conditions, including colder temperatures and storms. They are also designed for enhanced maintenance efficiency, reduced downtime, and improved technician accessibility.
The selection of the new turbines will involve a request for quotes to manufacturers, comparing bids based on price, inclusions, and performance. Arsenault aims to have the revamped wind farm operational by 2029 or 2030, emphasizing the reuse of existing infrastructure while accommodating the larger modern turbines.
Addressing the capacity challenges, Angus Orford, the vice president of corporate planning and energy supply at Maritime Electric, highlighted the need for wind energy expansion to meet growing electricity demand. However, he noted that wind and solar power’s intermittent nature necessitates a reliance on dispatchable generation sources to ensure continuous energy supply.
Orford emphasized the importance of securing dispatchable generation to address capacity shortages and ensure a stable electricity system across North America.