Public hearing underway for proposed central Alberta wind project

February 25, 2025 Canuck

The Alberta Utilities Commission has begun its public hearing into a proposed wind farm project in central Alberta that in the past has drawn the ire of some who live in the area.

The risks and benefits of the Fox Meadows Wind project in the Municipal District of Wainwright were up for discussion Monday at the public meeting.

The project by Fox Meadows Wind would produce 165 megawatts of energy and include up to 25 turbines and a related substation and energy storage facility.

The project would be in the MDs of Wainwright and Provost, and would be located about 17 kilometres south of the village of Edgerton.

The company says the project could create up to 200 jobs for the region.

The first day of proceedings saw testimonies by witnesses brought forward by the company Fox Meadows Wind.

The witnesses were questioned by legal representation on behalf of the MD of Provost and Edgerton Land Advocates, a community group that has been critical of the project.

Questions from Monday’s proceedings focused around determining the public interest of the project and its social, economic and environmental effects.

Various experts answered questions ranging from impacts construction would have, to how the project would affect the prevalence of clubroot, which is a soil-borne plant disease.

Past incidents involving wind energy were also cited at the meeting such as a turbine failure at Capital Power’s Halkirk 2 wind facility in Paintearth County on Nov. 8.

The back and forth between experts and legal representation centred around determining the full extent of adverse harm to communities and the land while determining what is considered acceptable risk.

Members of the public will also be able to make their thoughts about the project heard.

The hearing is expected to take four days.

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