Pattern Development has completed the construction of the 184.6MW Meikle Wind power project in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Meikle Wind power project, which comprises 61 GE wind turbines, has a capacity to generate electricity sufficient to power more than 54,000 homes in the province.
The wind farm has a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 25 years with BC Hydro.
Developed in collaboration with GE, the project's layout includes two different turbine models consisting of varying rotor sizes and hub heights.
The construction phase of the wind facility utilised more than 500,000 person-hours in labour. First Nation-affiliated contractors and other regional firms have received more than 30% of the value of contracts for the facility.
The wind farm is expected to generate about $70m in property taxes, Crown lease payments, wind participation rent and community benefits during the life time of the project.
Pattern Development CEO Mike Garland said: "Meikle Wind is now the largest wind facility in British Columbia, increasing the installed wind power capacity in the province by 37%.
"Located in a mountainous region, this project was unique for its construction, design and weather challenges, as well as for our discovery of rare dinosaur tracks during construction, which we donated to the Tumbler Ridge Museum.
“Meikle Wind would like to thank the participating First Nations, the communities of Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd, BC Hydro, as well as the general contractor Borea Construction and turbine supplier GE, for their collaboration on making this project a great success."
With the completion of Meikle wind farm, the total wind capacity in British Columbia has reached 673.6MW, according to Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).
Image: Pattern’s 184MW wind farm in British Columbia completed. Photo: Courtesy of PR Newswire Association LLC.