Batchewana First Nation creating a First Nations wind farm partnership

Batchewana First Nation is working towards creating a First Nations wind farm partnership with Calgary company BluEarth Renewables. The groups have just completed the renewable energy approval application for the 60-megaWatt Bow Lake Wind Project and if all goes well construction on the first phase of the wind farm could begin this year. Batchewana Chief Dean Sayers said the community will sell the energy into the power grid and will use revenues for education, housing, infrastructure, healthcare, as well as language and culture preservation. The First Nation has a 50 per cent stake in the $240-million project. The wind farm would consist of 36 turbines, generating close to 60-megaWatts of electricity, once completed.