February 2, 2012

Windstream Energy ready to invest and build in Kingston, Ontario offshore wind power

HAMILTON, ONT.

Windstream Energy has committed to economic investment in Kingston, Ontario, the home of the province’s first contracted offshore wind project.

Windstream recently announced preliminary agreements with Anchor Concrete Products Ltd., George A. Wright & Son Ltd. and M. Sullivan & Son Ltd. for its 300 MW Wolfe Island Shoals offshore wind power project in eastern Lake Ontario.

These companies will provide onsite maintenance for the project, local project support during construction, supply concrete elements for the project and build the dock and shore facilities within Kingston.

Anchor Concrete Product Ltd. will provide concrete services for the electrical substation, supply concrete for the project and will build the project’s dock.

A. Wright & Son Ltd. will provide local fabrication and repair services for mechanical equipment, as well as provide equipment for the service platforms on the windmills.

M. Sullivan & Son Ltd. will be the contractor for the local construction of the port and shore facilities.

An AECOM study commissioned by Windstream estimates approximately 1,900 jobs will be created in Ontario during the first five years of construction of the project.

Windstream holds the offshore wind power Feed-In-Tariff contract in Ontario awarded by the Ontario Power Authority in May 2010.

The planned location is five to 16 kilometres off the southwest shore of Wolfe Island, in eastern Lake Ontario.

Much speculation has surrounded the Wolfe Island Shoals project as the Ontario Liberal government put a moratorium on offshore wind development until more scientific research has been conducted. Potential issues include how noise behaves over water and ice, foundation designs, water quality impacts and impacts to shoreline ecosystems and wildlife.

Energy Minister Chris Bentley recently told the Daily Commercial News that nothing has changed and that the moratorium is still in place.

Windstream is based in Ontario and also operates in western Canada and the High Plains area of the western U.S. The company is privately owned and funded by American investors in the energy industry.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

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