2012-Wind is one of the fastest growing forms of renewable electricity. Wind energy enables agricultural producers to become electricity independent and to diversify beyond conventional income sources creating more stable financial conditions for agricultural producers. Despite its potential, few small-scale wind projects have been built in British Columbia. This lack of wind projects is attributed to agricultural producers being reluctant to install wind turbines without clear information as to the wind energy production potential, and the return on investment for installing turbines on agricultural land.
In early 2011, the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association, with funding support from Northern Development, BC Hydro, and the Ministry of Agriculture, began an agricultural wind production feasibility study with BC Agriculture Research & Development Corporation. This project is determining the circumstances where small-scale wind energy projects are economically attractive in rural British Columbia within the agricultural sector.
To achieve this, the project is working directly with six agricultural producers in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and northern British Columbia to assess each site’s wind energy potential and economic feasibility. The project will also investigate creative ways to reduce the cost of wind energy production through aggregated purchasing agreements and maintenance programs, creative financing arrangements and available funding. The project will also highlight and suggest amendments to any regulatory barriers that may prohibit or delay small-scale wind energy projects in British Columbia.
