Seven Stars Energy Project: Regulatory and permitting reviews

Multi-tiered review processes ensure project will be developed responsibly

Commercial wind developments—including Enbridge’s proposed Seven Stars Energy Project—are subject to environmental, regulatory and permitting reviews involving three levels of government before they can proceed to the construction stage.

“The regulatory process includes multiple opportunities for public input and is designed to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible development by requiring various permits, licenses, and adherence to specific standards,” explains Alex McNichol, Director, Power Business Development with Enbridge. “This multi-tiered approach aims to protect public safety and the environment, and to manage resources in a way that balances economic benefits with social and environmental considerations.”

Enbridge plans to construct and operate facilities capable of generating 200-megwatts of wind energy from 46 turbines—enough to power 100,000 Saskatchewan homes annually. During construction and over its projected 30-year operating lifespan, the Seven Stars Energy Project is expected to create more than $100 million ($3.4 million to $4 million annually) in estimated economic benefits for the Weyburn region.

This includes tax revenue for local municipalities, lease payments to landowners in the project area, employee salaries, third-party contracting for maintenance and upkeep of Enbridge office facilities, and an Enbridge fund to support community-driven programs and initiatives.

But before construction can begin on a project of the scale and impact of Seven Stars, Enbridge must navigate robust permitting and regulatory processes.

From a municipal perspective, the Seven Stars project requires separate development permits from the Rural Municipality (RM) of Weyburn and the RM of Griffin. These permits are essential for the project to proceed and involve public hearings. Local residents and stakeholders will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and provide input during these hearings, ensuring that community perspectives are considered in the decision-making process.

At the federal level, the project will be reviewed by Nav Canada and Transport Canada. These organizations assess the project's implications for air navigation and transportation safety, ensuring the wind turbines do not interfere with any existing aviation routes or infrastructure.

Provincially, the project will undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a comprehensive process that involves third-party studies commissioned by Enbridge to examine the project's impact on local wildlife, vegetation, wetlands and watercourses. “The EIA process is designed to identify any significant environmental concerns and propose measures to address them, just as we see with larger conventional energy developments such as oil sands or liquified natural gas projects,” McNichol says.

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