Grouse Mountain’s Eye of the Wind turbine is finally spinning into operation.
“Everyone here is extremely pleased. We’ve worked for a long time on this project,” Grouse Mountain communications manager William Mbaho said in an interview. “And we invite everyone to come and visit this amazing icon for Vancouver. It’s the first commercially viable wind turbine in Vancouver.”
BC Hydro and Grouse Mountain reached an agreement earlier to allow the turbine to produce power after a disagreement over safety prevented it from being connected to the grid several months ago.
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However, that problem has been rectified with the installation of specialized equipment in August to complete the electricity generation connection process.
Both BC Hydro and the provincial energy ministry congratulated Grouse Mountain.
“The Eye of the Wind is Vancouver’s first commercially viable wind turbine and is a highly visible icon,” Energy Minister Bill Bennett said in a statement. “We hope it will inspire companies and communities across the province to develop innovative, renewable energy projects in support of our provincial goal of becoming electricity self-sufficient by 2016.”
Hydro president and CEO Dave Cobb said: “With this successful energizing of The Eye of the Wind, Grouse Mountain is not only starting down the road to energy self-sufficiency, but is also providing a tangible example of the kind of strong working relationships BC Hydro enjoys building with partners committed to clean and renewable energy.”
The turbine has a capacity of 1.5 megawatts, which Grouse Mountain estimates is enough to power about 400 homes a year.
The turbine is also equipped with a panoramic viewing area that provides visitors with a close view of wind energy at work.
bmorton@vancouversun.com
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