The Lotbinière MRC wants to limit the impacts of future wind projects in the agricultural sector.
Several comments were received during the public consultation on January 8 regarding the change to the planning and development plan (SAD) aimed at regulating the implementation of wind projects. Thus, the MRC postpones the adoption of the SAD modification regulation, which will improve the framework in the Interim Control Regulation (ICR) currently in force, to a later council meeting.
In the specific case of the Lotbinière Ndakina wind farm, the MRC reiterates that the development as initially proposed for a 100MW project is still viable with current regulations. The primary goal of the modification regulation is to minimize impacts in the agricultural environment by allowing optimal location of infrastructure.
Among the main modifications, we find the separating distance which will increase from 500 meters to 700 meters and will apply to all sensitive uses and not only to homes;
an insertion of a safety distance of one time the total height of a wind turbine for any building, except buildings linked to the wind farm;
a ban on installing a wind turbine less than 300 meters from a peat bog identified for conservation in the planning and development plan;
separating distances from all public roads are added;
and the time for dismantling will increase from 12 to 24 months.
In addition to these regional implementation standards, there will be a series of standards from the various ministries and organizations concerned. Since 2023, around twenty communications initiatives have been carried out by Innergex renewable energy, the MRC and local municipalities with citizens, including meetings with farmers. A liaison committee was also set up and two sessions took place.
To date, 85% of the targeted landowners located in areas with infrastructure potential have signed in favor of the project which will be economically beneficial for the 18 municipalities of the Lotbinière MRC.
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