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Councillors in West Hants were wrong to refuse a proposal for a wind farm that would have the majority of its turbines within the municipality’s boundaries, according to a decision from the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board.
In a decision released Tuesday, the board ordered West Hants Regional Municipality to enter into a development agreement for the Bear Lake wind project, which is expected to have 11 turbines and capacity up to 90 megawatts.
The Bear Lake proposal first went before municipal council in 2024, but councillors postponed debate and asked the proponent for more information.
Last fall the application came back to council. Municipal staff recommended moving it ahead, but councillors quashed it by a one-vote margin.
They cited concerns about inadequate fire suppression, industrialization of the forest and impeding residential development.
The proponents appealed the council’s decision, sparking a public hearing that took place earlier this year. The board’s written decision says council’s refusal to enter into a development agreement was not supported by evidence and it was at odds with West Hants’ municipal planning strategy.
The Bear Lake wind farm is a partnership between EverWind and Wind Strength, a Membertou First Nation-owned company. It’s one element of a massive buildout of onshore wind that EverWind Fuels is planning to undertake across the province to power a green hydrogen and ammonia facility.
Green hydrogen has been labelled as one solution for Canada to meet its net zero goal by 2050. CBC’s Frances Willick finds out if green hydrogen is really better for the environment.
Bear Lake is one of the first four wind farms that EverWind hopes to build in its first phase. The company, which is helmed by New York-based Australian businessman Trent Vichie, recently got $175 million US in funding and has said construction on its first wind farms could start this year.
In a statement responding to the board’s decision, EverWind communications director Claire Parsons said the company is pleased.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively with the West Hants Regional Municipality and local communities. We are currently reviewing the decision in detail and evaluating next steps for the project,” she said.
West Hants has not responded to a request for comment.
The municipality previously tried to limit wind turbine construction by mandating 2.5-kilometre setbacks from private properties, but the provincial government rejected the move.
The Bear Lake project proposes seven turbines in West Hants, three in Halifax Regional Municipality and one in the Municipality of the District of Chester. Parsons said EverWind has secured a development agreement with Chester and a development permit with HRM.
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