Current Projects
Kettles Hill Wind Project
Key Data
| Location: | Pincher Creek, Alberta |
| Status: | Operational |
| Project Type: | Renewable Energy (Wind) |
| Project Commencement: | 2006 |
Links
| Project Developer: | Creststreet |
| Project Documents: | Click here |
Summary
The Creststreet Kettles Hill Wind Energy Project (constructed and operated by Kettles Hill Wind Energy Inc.) is located near Pincher Creek, Alberta. Currently, this project has installed thirty-five 1.8 Megawatt (MW) wind turbines, with the capacity to supply 63 MW of power to the Alberta market. The initial phase of the Kettles Hill Wind Energy Project has achieved EcoLogo certification under the Environmental Choice Program for renewable energy, and certification of the recently completed final phase is currently underway. The emissions reductions associated with the project’s renewable energy generation have been verified by Baseline Emissions Management Inc.
How Emissions are Reduced
Emissions reductions are created at this project through the provision of emissions-free power to the Alberta power grid, offsetting the need for coal and natural gas electricity generating capacity.
Additionality Criteria
In order to ensure that the emission reductions from this project were additional, an environmental and economic analysis was completed. Analyzing the project from an environmental perspective, there is growing demand for electricity in Alberta. The majority of electricity capacity being added to the grid is from non-renewable sources in a step-wise manner. Therefore, all renewable energy added to the grid provides additional environmental benefit. From an economic perspective, the project development decision was supplemented by the value of the environmental credit potential of the project. As the return on investment for the project relied on the inclusion of the environmental credit potential, the project can be viewed as economically additional.
Non GHG Benefits
All renewable energy helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and reduces the significant social and environmental impacts associated with the production and use of these resources. A wind energy installation creates significant local economic activity, and avoids local impacts associated with conventional power generation. Eco-logo certification has ensured that this project provides no significant impacts to local wildlife, heritage or culture.
