Nova Scotia approves environmental assessment for wind energy project in Pictou County

A windmill is pictured in the sun.

Nova Scotia approved the environmental assessment for the Sugar Maple Wind Energy Project in Pictou County on Friday. The project must comply with 56 terms and conditions to protect human health and the environment, said a Friday news release.

Construction on the 16-turbine wind farm is expected to begin in 2027 and create approximately 150 jobs, said the release. The farm is expected to employ seven people, both full-time and part-time, for 25 years, after it becomes operational in 2028.

The province said it expects the farm to generate $1.2 million in municipal tax revenue per year.

The project is expected to generate approximately 112 megawatts of clean electricity, enough to power about 35,000 homes. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 234,905 tonnes, which is equivalent to taking close to 51,000 gas-powered cars off the road, said the province.

The wind farm will be in Upper Barneys River. It is being developed by Glooscap First Nation and SWEB Development Ltd. It was chosen as a Green Choice Program project.

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