Hermanville, P.E.I., wind farm faced with year-long repairs

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HERMANVILLE, P.E.I. — One among P.E.I.’s largest wind farms has practically floor to a halt as six of the ten towering wind generators sit idle as a consequence of structural damages. 

The Hermanville wind farm is now confronted with important structural repairs to the tune of $10 million, all to be funded by the P.E.I. authorities. 

A press release from the P.E.I. Power Company on Aug. 30 acknowledged the underperformance of the wind farm, equating it partially to the numerous quantity of upkeep the farm requires and damages to the generators’ essential bearings.

“One has failed, and 4 others are in danger, so Acciona has restricted these generators to 50 per cent capability,” the P.E.I. Power Company acknowledged.

Building on the Hermanville wind farm totalled $60 million in 2014, and the P.E.I. Power Company estimates the prices to restore the non-functional wind generators will likely be $10 million by the tip of upkeep in September 2024. 

Whereas Acciona has lined the prices related to repairs to the wind farm prior to now, the P.E.I. Power Company acknowledged it’s nonetheless in discussions concerning the price of this spherical of repairs.

Upon building, Acciona assured that if the machine capability of the generators dipped below 97 per cent of their first 15 years of operation, damages could be paid to the province. 

In response to the P.E.I. Power Company’s annual report in 2022, the wind farm solely reached 31 per cent capability, with the generators themselves reporting lower than 80 per cent machine capability, undershooting Acciona’s assured 97 per cent bar. 

In complete, P.E.I has acquired $4.8 million in liquidated damages on account of the farm’s underperformance, with an extra $1.43 million excellent for the underperformance reported in 2022 and 2023. 

Studies revealed by the P.E.I. Power Company have proven the farm to be averaging lower than 38 per cent complete capability since building was accomplished in 2014. 

Building is slated to start in 2023, with the primary part concluding in December and the second to start in the summertime of 2024 and be accomplished by September. 

The P.E.I. Power Company has acknowledged the farm will look odd quickly whereas repairs are performed, particularly these left with out turbine blades.

“Blades, gearboxes and essential shafts will likely be taken down in order that the principle shaft may be changed and blades may be repaired.” 

After repairs are accomplished in late 2024, the P.E.I. Power Company expects the Hermanville wind farm will return to regular output.

Caitlin Coombes is a reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. She may be reached by e-mail at [email protected].