Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
A proposed wind turbine project in the Smoky River Region has undergone some minor location changes, with the company speculated to complete applications later this year.
ABO Energy Canada Ltd., A subsidiary Smoky River Wind Inc. (SRWI), will be proceeding with a proposed 160 MW (megawatt) Smoky River Wind Project. The project will be constructed on privately-owned land within the M.D. Of Smoky River between Donnelly and Nampa. The projected wind project will have a total of 27 wind turbines.
Social Impact and Engagement Lead David Berrade says SRWI recently switched some of the locations proposed for the wind turbines.
“The recent relocation of some turbines is largely due to the presence of an Important Bird Area (IBA) that overlapped with a portion of the northeast section of the proposed project area,” explains Berrade.
“In order to reduce potential environmental impact, ABO decided to avoid the IBA completely by predominantly shifting turbines west, to locations that still meet setback and noise requirements. The design of secondary infrastructure such as access roads and collector lines were also reviewed and optimized to minimize environmental impact.”
Berrade says the project will provide benefits to the region including investment into the local economy via contracts for goods and services, an introduction of local jobs during the construction phase, and also tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the M.D. during the project’s operational life.
“The project will generate up to 160 MW of emission-free renewable energy to contribute to the diversification of Alberta’s energy mix,” explains Berrade.
“SRWI is also offering payments from the opt-in Shared Benefit Residence Fund program for property owners with eligible residences within 1,500 m of the project boundary.
Additionally, SRWI has committed to creating a separate Community Benefit Fund, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to contribute to local initiatives over the project’s operational life.”
The project is expected to produce about 500,000 MWh of energy annually, which Berrade says is enough energy to power up to 80,000 homes.
“At this time, we expect construction to commence in 2027 and is forecasted to take approximately 18 months,” he says.
“SRWI recently received a Renewable Energy Referral Report from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA), which stated that the project poses a low risk to wildlife and wildlife habitat. This is one of the only wind projects to receive a low risk ranking from EPA in the last several years, indicating effective siting efforts from an environmental perspective,” he adds.
The company will continue its consultation process as it prepares to submit an application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) in late 2025.
“Wind projects are subject to rigorous environmental standards, including a minimum of three years of post-construction monitoring for wildlife fatalities to ensure mitigation measures and additional survey requirements are implemented if these are found to be high,” Berrade notes.
“Projects are required to fall under noise thresholds as outlined by the AUC under Rule 012: Noise Control, ensuring that noise impacts to adjacent residences are minimized, and scientific studies suggest no direct relationship between exposure to wind turbines and human health issues. “
Berrade notes ABO Energy develops wind, solar, battery energy storage, and hydrogen projects worldwide. Since 1996, he says the company’s commitment to climate protection has driven and united them, with goals to continue to work with enthusiasm on renewable energy projects for a more sustainable energy supply worldwide.
“We are continuously exploring viable project locations throughout Alberta and Canada which have sufficient wind or solar resource, capacity on a nearby transmission lines, and landowners with sufficient land who are interested in leasing that land to diversify their income,” he concludes.
If members of the community are interested in obtaining additional information, Berrade says they can reach out directly to him with any questions specific to the project.
He can be reached by email at dave.berrade @aboenergy.com or via telephone at (587) 576-5339.
The project is also updated regularly and its information can be found on the company’s website at https: //www.smokyriverwind.com/