Papoqji’jg Wind
Parc éolien Papoqji’jg

Please join us for the first public information session for the Papoqji'jg Wind Project to learn more and share your feedback with us:

Monday, February 10, 5pm-8pm (drop-in)
Atlantic Host Hotel
1450 Vanier Blvd, Bathurst, NB

Refreshments will be provided. If you have questions about the project or the open house, please contact heidi.kirby@aboenergy.com or call 902-329-9907.

• You may view and download the posterboards presented at the open house here.

Third-party studies have confirmed that wind turbines typically offset greenhouse gases emitted as part of their production and installation within the first year of operation. When the whole cycle of production and operations is considered, wind energy is recognized as one of the “greenest” or least carbon intensive forms of energy production.

As part of the regulatory approval process, an Environmental Impact Assessment will be undertaken to understand the relationship between wind turbines and the local environment. This is a requirement of the Province of New Brunswick. Through this analysis, our team will make the necessary adjustments to the Project to avoid or reduce potential impact on wildlife.

Robust environmental studies are being completed to support the Environmental Impact Assessment to develop an understanding of habitat conditions as well as the birds and wildlife utilizing the site. Results of the studies will be used to develop innovative and effective mitigation strategies specific to the local area and wildlife. We will work closely with our environmental consultants and regulators throughout the Environmental Assessment process to reduce impact on the local environment.

As part of the regulatory approval process, an Environmental Impact Assessment will be undertaken to understand the relationship between wind turbines and the local environment. This includes wetlands, watercourses, fish habitat and groundwater. In preparation for this, ABO Energy has been using a local third-party environmental consultant to complete field and desktop environmental studies, beginning in 2023. This is a requirement of the province of New Brunswick. Through this analysis, we will make the necessary adjustments to the Project to avoid or minimize potential impact on water resources to the extent feasible.

Before any construction, we will be register an Environmental Impact Assessment as required by the Province of New Brunswick. This document will detail environmental studies done to-date and will outline specific avoidance and/or mitigation measures, while detail and potential impact on local wetlands, birds and threatened and protected species,

Detailed studies, including multiple field surveys, supporting this application have been be carried out by a local independent environment consultant since 2023. ABO Energy Canada has also carried out desktop studies regarding the environment and species in the Project area, supported by the field reconnaissance.

Depending on the turbine selected for the project, the concrete foundation for the turbine will range from 22 metres to 25 metres in diameter. Most of the foundation will be below ground and backfilled with soil.

The visibility of each turbine depends on the viewpoint. We will be providing preliminary visual simulations prepared by a third party. During development, we will ask community representatives to offer more viewpoints for more detailed visualizations. This Project is located a remote/very rural, so visual impacts are anticipated to be minimal or non-existent from any communities. 

The proposed layout and turbine technology may change based on stakeholder, environmental and technical input. When available, we will share the visual and sound assessments to reflect the most up-to-date plan. This information is also included as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment registration. 

A few factors contribute to the choice of wind turbines, such as the wind profile and the height of nearby vertical obstacles. The Project is still at a preliminary stage. Once we have more wind data to tell us where the wind blows the strongest, we can choose a turbine. We anticipate that the hub height will range from about 100 metres to 125 metres with an approximate blade length between 60 metres and 85 metres.

Aviation warning lights on wind turbines are required by Transport Canada regulations. However, the Project is exploring the feasibility of light mitigation options to reduce the visibility to those on the ground.

During development, we will prepare a noise impact assessment with a map showing predicted sound emissions in relation to any nearby receptors. As the Project team gains more information about the wind, the engineers adjust their recommendations about turbine models. Once we have selected a model, more information will be made available related to sound.

There are over 75,000 operational wind turbines in Canada and United States and there are now over 100 peer-reviewed published scientific articles on the potential for health impacts living in proximity to wind turbines. Although audible sound, infrasound and low frequency noise (LFN) are emitted from wind turbines it is not at a level that causes health impacts, headaches, nausea, sleep problems and tinnitus. LFN or infrasound are a common occurrence produced from wind itself and other human sources including road traffic, refrigerators, air conditioners, farm machinery, and airplanes.

Infrasound can be defined as sound waves with frequencies below the lower limit of human hearing. We will design the Project to meet New Brunswick’s regulations regarding audible sound criteria.

Humans are exposed to infrasound on a regular basis from several natural and engineered sources, at levels that generally exceed those produced by wind turbines. Additional information can be found at the Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise Study website: pamphlet-brochure-eng.pdf (canada.ca)

Infrasound can be defined as sound waves with frequencies below the lower limit of human hearing. We will design the Project to meet New Brunswick’s regulations regarding audible sound criteria. Humans are exposed to infrasound on a regular basis from several natural and engineered sources, at levels that generally exceed those produced by wind turbines.

We respect that some individuals may have concerns regarding health. The Project will be designed to meet or exceed all provincial regulations and guidelines currently in place to protect human health.

Health Canada with Statistics Canada and other external experts conducted a Community Noise and Health Study on wind turbines. The results, which were released in 2014, indicated that wind turbine noise was not linked to self-reported medical illnesses and health conditions.

This renewable energy project is anticipated to be approximately 56-megawatts of power, with 7-9 turbines in total. However, depending on several factors the Project could vary between 49-megawatts to 63-megawatts (subject to change). The amount of clean energy produced at the Papoqji’jg Wind farm could displace approximately 2.8M tonnes of CO2 during its lifetime and power more than 15,000 homes annually!

ABO Energy strongly values positive community relations. We’re focused on transparency, early engagement and providing ample opportunity feedback and ensuring Project awareness prior to any construction. It will be our practice to provide updates to the project at key milestones ensuring that First Nations and those living and working in the area have opportunities to discuss and comment through a variety of methods, including, phone, email, video meeting, and face-to-face meetings (open houses and direct meetings). We want to hear from the community and encourage you to reach out through the contact form below. 

We have active ongoing communication with First Nation communities in New Brunswick including our Project partner, Pabineau First Nation. We meet regularly with Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Incorporated (MTI). An Indigenous Knowledge Study (IKS) will be completed.

ABO Energy will send out updates on the Project via mail to addresses located in the areas surrounding the proposed Project. Updates will also be added to our Project website so that those outside of the immediate Project area can remained informed. Advertisements in local newspapers will also announce the release of key updates, including information on upcoming public open houses. Our Project team also engages with key stakeholder groups, local government representatives and First Nations.

ABO Energy and any other companies or contractors involved in this Project must have safety at top of mind and follow all safety and emergency response protocols, from site visits to construction and operations. As the Project developer, ABO is creating a Project-specific Emergency Management Plan (ERP) and completing Field Level Hazard Assessments when conducting onsite work. The ERP will be informed by industry best-practices, ABO’s global and Canadian expertise in developing wind farms, and local emergency responders. ABO has had initial outreach with local fire personnel and will further consult first responders to ensure alignment with local resources. The ERP will be comprehensive and include details about on-site and offsite resources to assist in suppressing and containing a fire on the Project site, along with other safety plans (and mitigation).

The Project will utilize existing access roads along with some new access roads as part of this Project. ABO Energy will work to ensure adequate emergency access, including identified egresses for the Project site are incorporated and shared as part of its Project safety planning.

Turbine fires are uncommon with an estimated probability of a wind turbine fire ranging between one in 2,000 to one in 7,000, according to Firetrace International (p.3). Modern turbines have smoke detection equipment installed within the nacelle, “the rectangle”, at the top of the tower. While the Proponent has not finalized the turbine model for the Project, it expects that the selected turbine will have smoke detection equipment. ABO recognizes these risks, no matter how small, are important to plan for and be prepared for – safety is paramount during all aspects of the Project’s construction and operational life.

The proposed wind site was selected for several reasons. These include, but are not limited to, high wind speeds, previous forestry activity at the site, distance from residential areas, along with access to nearby transmission infrastructure and the highway.

There are many factors to consider for the specific siting of each wind turbine, such as the following: our ability to adhere to regulated setbacks from homes; the wind resource; environmental features; access to transmission lines; and the ability to access and build turbines at the location. Ongoing environmental and engineering studies help us select sites for wind turbines. 

We will require approximately 2.1km of new roads and upgrading of 4.8 km of existing roads for the Project. A 6-metre-wide road will be built for both construction and operations. New and existing road intersections will be widened temporarily for turbine delivery and reclaimed once turbine installation is completed.

The lifecycle of a turbine is typically 20 to 30 years. The life expectancy of this Project will be subject to any regulatory requirements.

The proponent will have a local operations team, including an operations manager who will be responsible for the wind farm’s maintenance program. Depending on the project’s turbine contract, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) may be responsible for turbine maintenance and any required repairs for an agreed term of the project life. Local contractors are typically hired for maintenance items, such as road maintenance, snow removal, equipment service, etc.

Power generated from this project will feed into the New Brunswick Power grid, providing clean energy to residents and businesses across the Project by supplementing existing power sources.

Project planning will be done to minimize restrictions on land use. Typically, most activities underway before construction of a wind site can continue afterwards. Like with any construction project, access to some areas would be restricted during active construction for the safety of the public and workers alike. 

Project land contracts and regulatory approvals will contain requirements for reclamation and decommissioning.

ABO Energy will lease parcels of Crown Land required for the Project through the NB government; we will not be purchasing land.

ABO Energy has a Local Content and Indigenous Policy that emphasizes opportunities to surrounding communities. ABO Energy has preferential weighting to local businesses that meet safety and capacity requirements. We will work with local contractors and businesses to let them know of opportunities and will hire local contractors whenever possible. The Proponent anticipates much of the work during the 12- to-18-month construction period could be carried out by local businesses.

There would be some specialized tasks (e.g., provision of large cranes, installation of turbines) that could require contractors from outside the region or elsewhere in Canada.

The Project is anticipated require 1 to 3 full-time wind turbine service technicians during its operating life. Training for this position is available for these positions at Holland College in PEI and College of the North Atlantic in NL. There is also a Wind and Solar Energy Technician Program coming to NBCC planned for September 2025 as the start date. More opportunities will be available during the site preparation and construction of the Project, spanning several years.