Nai Kun Wind Project agreement with Haida Nation

Leanne Ritchie
The Prince Rupert Daily News
02 dec 2004

COMMENT: It's wonderful to see sustainable energy projects that respect the land, the oceans, and First Nations. Nai Kun Developments have met directly with the Council of the Haida Nation and a rare agreement between the company and the Haida Nation has been forged that will allow Nai Kun to proceed with a wind study mast, and that will ensure that the Haida people are full participants and beneficiaries of the project.

Backed by ABB, the Nai Kun project has financial and technical credibility that is missing from the Holberg Wind Project, and the Sea Breeze Power Knob Hill Project. Nevertheless, it is still missing the one thing that will make it happen - a customer. Holberg has one - BC Hydro, but Sea Breeze and Nai Kun do not. - Arthur Caldicott]

Environmental Assessment Office Nai Kun project centre
Nai Kun Wind Development Inc.

The company which wants to install a large scale wind farm north of Haida Gwaii has made several steps forward in its agreements with the Council of the Haida Nation.

On Friday, Nai Kun announced that the Council of the Haida Nation has granted Nai Kun a permit to install a temporary wind mast to undertake a sea bed survey at the site of its proposed 700 MW wind farm in Hecate Strait.

"We've been working with the Council of the Haida Nation for three years, from the beggining of the project, explaining what our objectives are and listening to theirs," said Michael C. Burns, CEO of Nai Kun and Uniterre Resources. "It's to the point were we are now at a win-win situation."

The wind mast will also have attached to it temperature, wave and current monitoring devices, as well as an x-band radar unit to monitor sea birds in the area of the proposed site. Nai Kun has agreed to retain the services of the Council of the Haida Nation dive team to conduct eight scuba surveys in the vicinity of the mast.

"The granting of this permit represents a milestone in the relationship between the Council of the Haida Nation and Nai Kun," said Burns.

"This permit, in addition to those granted by the federal and provincial governments, allows the company to proceed with installation and survey work in the spring of 2005."Nai Kun does have data from 12 years of data from Envorinment Canada's Rose Spit mast located on land in the vicinity of the farm site.

Burns said by putting a new mast in the water, they will be able check that data against data from the site and then be able to chose the best equipment for the project.

In addition, Burns as chairman of Uniterre Resources, said that Uniterre has agreed to issue a share purchase warrant entitling the Haida Tribal Society, which represents the Council of the Haida Nation and the Haida people, to acquire to 860,193 common shares of Uniterre for a period of two years at a price of $.22 per share for the first year and .25 per share for the second year.

The shares have been granted to provide the Haida people an opportunity to participate in the ownership of Nai Kun and to further the partnership between the Haida people and Nai Kun for the development of the significant wind resource off the shores of Haida Gwaii.

Burns said the Haida see potential in the project in and in their involvement so "owning a piece of the rock makes sense."

When fully operational, up to 350 wind turbines will generate enough electricity to power 240,000 homes. Expected to begin construction in 2006, the project is currently raising development financing and undergoing environmental review.

Up to 350 wind turbine towers, with blades and generators, will rise approximately 80 meters above the ocean surface. The towers will be fixed into the sea bed in shallow waters. The strong winds over Hecate Strait will turn the blades and generators to produce electricity. The electricity from the turbines will be gathered offshore and transmitted to a nearby BC Hydro substation via sea-cable and land-based transmission line.

Burns added as the project moves forward There will 100s of man years of employment created.

"There will be continued opportunities for everyone in the region," he said.

Nai Kun Wind Development Inc. and ABB New Ventures of Mannheim, Germany are the partners in the project. Nai Kun Wind Development Inc. is a B.C. company created for the sole purpose of developing the Nai Kun Wind Farm.

ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies and will design and provide engineering services for the project.