Following several months of negotiation and a number of drafts, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between Samsung Renewable Energy, Pattern Renewable Holdings and the Municipality of Kincardine for the Armow Wind Project.

Kincardine council endorsed the final draft of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) after an in-camera session held during the regular meeting of Feb. 21. 

The project proposes installation of approximately 90 wind turbines generating up to 180 megawatts of electricity in an area within the Municipality of Kincardine bounded by Highway 21 to the west, Concession 4 to the north, County Road 1 to the east and the North Line to the south. The proponent is a joint venture limited partnership owned by affiliates of Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada ULC and Samsung Renewable Energy Inc.

The MOU sets out a number of terms and conditions relating to the project on subject matters that include the local airport, municipal road use, a community development fund, construction and operation, liability and insurance and a range of other matters.  It also provides that the proponent will reimburse the Municipality for an independent peer review of the noise report submitted by the proponent in support of the project. Although Pattern and Samsung have argued that they have hired consultants to review the noise report, the Municipality requested funding to allow it to select firm because it is important to the community.

In a media release, mayor Larry Kraemer said he is pleased that both parties conducted the negotiation process in a spirit of mutual respect and noted that this first-of-a-kind MOU with an industrial wind turbine developer addresses a number of issues that are important to the community and the developer.  He added, that in addition to guiding important elements of the project in Kincardine, the MOU also provides a template for other municipalities that are dealing with similar proposals in their communities.

Armow Wind Project spokesperson, Jody Law, agreed that the spirit of negotiations was productive and mutually beneficial.

“The dialogue allowed us to identify and understand matters relating to the project from both perspectives,” he said in a media release. “We are excited to continue to work with the Municipality as the project progresses and look forward to developing the project as part of the community.”

The MOU has been forwarded to the proponent for execution and a copy has been posted on the Municipality’s website at www.kincardine.net.  A much more detailed development agreement will be prepared as the project advances through the provincial approvals process.