A burgeoning economy
The construction of the wind farm, which extended from 2011 to 2013, involved many businesses in the region. They included local contractors who directly contributed to the wind farm’s construction or businesses and individuals who participated in meeting the many needs for housing, car leasing, sale of construction materials, restaurants, etc.
A total of 1223 workers participated directly in the wind farm’s construction. Traffic peaked at 350 workers in summer 2013.
Major financial benefits
In all, the development and construction of the L’Érable wind farm represented a total investment of nearly $400 million, including a large proportion directly in the region and in the province. In addition, the operation of the wind farm during the 20 years stipulated in the electricity supply contract will guarantee major financial impacts for L’Érable region and its inhabitants.
Annual royalties amounting to $1.4 million are being paid to the landowners participating in the project, RCM of L’Érable, neighbours and the three host municipalities.
RCM of L’Érable and the municipalities of Saint-Pierre-Baptiste, Sainte-Sophie-d’Halifax and Saint-Ferdinand receive the following contributions:
- A voluntary contribution of $180,000 per year is paid to the three municipalities to contribute to their socioeconomic development.
- An average contribution of $20,000 per year is paid to non-profit organizations to support initiatives in the project’s host municipalities.
- A fund of $30,000 per year also serves to fund the activities of non-profit organizations present in the territory of MRC de L’Érable.
- A fund of $60,000 per year has also been established for the landowners of the three municipalities who are not participating in the project and who live within a distance of 1.8 km from one of the wind farm’s turbines.