K2 Wind Power Project in Ontario Starts Operation
New 270 MW wind power facility uses Ontario-made turbines to generate clean power for up to 100,000 Ontario homes each year.
Following 18 months of construction, the K2 Wind Power Facility (“K2 Wind”) in Ontario reached commercial operation on May 29, 2015. One of Canada’s largest wind projects, the 270 megawatt (MW) facility is owned and operated by Capital Power Corporation (TSX: CPX) and Capital Power LP (collectively, “Capital Power”), Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. (“Samsung”), and Pattern Energy Group LP (collectively referred to as “the partners”). Pattern Energy Group Inc. (“Pattern Energy”) has agreed to acquire one third of the project from its affiliate Pattern Energy Group LP.
With 270 MW of capacity, K2 Wind is equal in size to the largest wind power facility in Ontario, and is expected to generate clean energy for approximately 100,000 Ontario homes annually. Located in the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) in southwestern Ontario, K2 Wind is comprised of 140 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines and operates under a 20-year PPA with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
“Samsung is proud to complete our third wind project under our Green Energy Investment Agreement with the government of Ontario,” said Steve Cho, Vice President, Samsung C&T. “K2 Wind created an average of 300 jobs during construction, with a peak of 500 workers. Samsung and its partners are creating jobs and investing in the community which are benefiting real people in ACW and across the province.”
“Along with Samsung and Capital Power, we are proud to develop one of the largest wind facilities in Canada, which was built using local workers and local materials, including turbine blades and towers manufactured in Ontario,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. “K2 Wind is the result of Ontario’s commitment to green energy, providing the province with a strong new addition to its renewable energy fleet.”
Project components were manufactured in Ontario. The project’s 700 turbine tower sections were produced in Windsor by CS Wind and the 420 blades were built in Tillsonburg by Siemens directly supporting over 800 manufacturing jobs in Ontario. K2 Wind expects to have approximately 20 full-time operations and maintenance employees, along with an additional 10 seasonal positions.
