Amendment to Renewable Energy Approval for the Gesner Wind Energy Project

The Renewable Energy Approval (REA) no. 3069-8NQQC7 issued to Saturn Power GP Ltd. (Saturn Power) for the Gesner Wind Energy Project (Facility) was amended to:

1. implement stricter wind turbine operating parameters
2. reduce the total nameplate capacity and remove one wind turbine that was destroyed by a fire caused by lightning
3. update the Facility’s address

Details of the amendment are categorized by topic below:

1. Stricter wind turbine operating parameters

   The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ Compliance Protocol for Wind Turbine Noise describes the assessment procedure for long-term measurements of wind turbine noise required of wind facility operators under the conditions of approval for post-construction acoustic audits.

   Acoustic audits are included as a condition wind facility REAs and are conducted at wind facilities once a facility begins operating to indicate whether it meets the ministry’s noise limits.

   A Noise Abatement Action Plan (NAAP) is a noise abatement program developed by the owner/operator of a wind facility to achieve compliance with the noise limits set out in section D6 of the Compliance Protocol for Wind Turbine Noise. The NAAP must be verified by the ministry before it is incorporated into the wind facility.

   During a post-construction acoustic audit, noise levels at the Facility were found to be out of compliance with the ministry’s allowable noise level limits. In response, Saturn Power, in partnership with the wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa-Siemens, developed a NAAP. The NAAP restricts the operating parameters and maximum power output of each wind turbine from 2 MW to 1.72 megawatts (MW) to reduce the noise emissions from the wind turbines. On May 4, 2026, the ministry confirmed that the NAAP complies with the applicable noise limits. This amendment formalizes the operating parameters of the NAAP into the REA.

2. Reduced name plate capacity and removal of one wind turbine

   From 2012 to 2023, the Facility operated five wind turbines with a total nameplate capacity of 10 MW. On June 15, 2023, wind turbine Wind Turbine Generator # 2 (WTG2) was destroyed during a lightning-related fire.

   Saturn Power does not intend to rebuild WTG2. This amendment formally removes WTG2 from the REA and permits the Facility to operate 4 wind turbines moving forward. This amendment also reduces the total nameplate capacity from 10 MW to 6.88 MW to account for the removal of one wind turbine and the new operating parameters under the NAAP.

3. Updated address

   On December 20, 2024, the Facility and Saturn Power were acquired by a new company. This amendment updates the Facility’s address to reflect the address of its new owner.

   Amending the REA to impose stricter operating parameters, reduce the nameplate capacity and reduce the number of wind turbines decreases the amount of noise generated by the Facility and provides additional protection.

   The ministry categorized this amendment as a technical change that will not result in increased negative environmental effects beyond those identified and documented or subject to consultation during the REA process for the original Project.

   The Class 4 wind facility is located in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Third-party hearing provisions

Any resident of Ontario may request a hearing by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) within 15 days after the date this decision is posted on the Environmental Registry by written notice served upon all the following:

Appellate body

Courier mail should be addressed to:

Ontario Land Tribunal
25 Grosvenor Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 1R1

Mail sent through Canada Post should be addressed to:

Ontario Land Tribunal
655 Bay Street, Suite 1500
Toronto, ON M5G 1E5
Phone: 416-212-6349
Toll free: 1-866-448-2248
TTY: 1-800-855-1155
Email: OLT.Registrar@ontario.ca

Issuing authority

Neryed Ragbar, P.Eng.
Director, Section 47.5, Environmental Protection Act
Environmental Permissions Branch
40 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 1
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1M2
Phone: (437) 216-7610
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 461-6290
Email:enviropermissions@ontario.ca

Proponent

Gesner Wind Farm LP
Commerce Court West
199 Bay St. #5300
Toronto, ON
M5L 1B9

An applicant for a hearing shall state in the notice requesting the hearing:

1. A description of how engaging in the renewable energy project in accordance with the renewable energy approval will cause either:
   • serious harm to human health;
   • serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal life or the natural environment;
2. The portion of the renewable energy approval in respect of which the hearing is required.
3. The relief sought.

Further information is provided on the OLT’s website at: https://olt.gov.on.ca/