Description

On 15 March 2023, Higgins Mountain Wind Farm General Partner Inc, Sipekne’katik First Nation, Elemental Energy Renewables Inc and Stevens Wind Ltd, carrying on business as the Higgins Mountain Wind Farm Limited Partnership registered the HIGGINS MOUNTAIN WIND FARM PROJECT for environmental assessment, in accordance with Part IV of the Environment Act.

The purpose of the proposed undertaking is to construct and operate an up to 17 turbine wind project that will produce low-cost wind generated renewable electricity for Nova Scotians. The wind turbines will be up to 195.5 m tall to the tip of the blade and individually produce between 5.9 to 7 MW. The Project centre is located 9.95 km southeast of Westchester Station, 9.75 km southwest of Wentworth Station, and 4.95 km northeast of Londonderry, within the counties of Cumberland and Colchester, Nova Scotia. The Project intends to begin construction in 2024 and is expected to be operational for 35 years commencing in 2025.

Minister's Decision

On 4 May 2023, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change released a decision (PDF) concerning this review. The Minister has decided to approve the undertaking in accordance with Section 13(1)b of the Environmental Assessment Regulations, pursuant to Part IV of the Environment Act. The undertaking has been approved subject to a number of conditions (PDF).

Project Documents

• Minister’s Decision, Approval (PDF)
• Conditions (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 1 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 2 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 3 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 4 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 5 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 6 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 7 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 8 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 9 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 10 (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration 11 (PDF)
• Public Notice (PDF)

Registration

• Higgins Mountain Wind Farm EA Registration Document (PDF)
• Appendix A-B: Environmental Protection Plan and MEKS (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 1 (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 2 (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 3 (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 4 (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 5 (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 6 (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 7 (PDF)
• Appendix C: Engagement – Part 8 (PDF)
• Appendix D-I: CO2 Calculations, Groundwater Wells, Waterbodies and Watercourses, ACCDC Report, Fish and Fish Habitat, Wetlands (PDF)
• Appendix J-M: Flora Inventory, Terrestrial Fauna Photo Logs, Bats, Avifauna (PDF)
• Appendix N: Electromagnetic Interference (PDF)
• Appendix O-Q: Shadow Flicker, Sound, Project Team Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
• Figures – Part 1 – 2.1 to 7.2 (PDF)
• Figures – Part 2 – 7.3 to 7.10 (PDF)
• Figures – Part 3 – 7.11 to 11H (PDF)
• Figures – Part 4 – 7.11I to 7.11O (PDF)
• Figures – Part 5 – 7.12 to 7.16 (PDF)
• Figures – Part 6 – 7.17 to 7.21 (PDF)
• Figures – Part 7 – 7.22 to 7.29C (PDF)
• Figures – Part 8 - 7.30 to 10.2B (PDF)
• Figures – Part 9 – 10.2C to 10.2M (PDF)
• Figures – Part 10 – 10.2N to 10.3 (PDF)

Opportunities for Public Input

Public comments on the Registration were accepted until 14 April 2023.

All comments received from the public consultation are posted on the department's website for public viewing. In the case of an individual, the address, email and contact information will be removed before being placed on the website.