Cancelling wind project could cost over $100 million, company warns

The president of a wind power company says cancelling an eastern Ontario project that has been under development for nearly a decade could cost more than $100 million.

The Ontario government said this week one of its priorities in the coming weeks will be to scrap the White Pines project in Prince Edward County.

The president of WPD Canada, the company behind the project, says the move could lead to costly litigation.

Progressive Conservative house leader Todd Smith has said the legislation to cancel the project will also insulate taxpayers from domestic litigation over the dismantling of green energy projects.

Ontario's Government for the People Shares Top Legislative Priorities for Upcoming Sitting https://t.co/uETypTkpkg #onpoli

— Todd Smith (@ToddSmithPC) July 10, 2018

Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator gave the final approval for the project during the spring election campaign, which the new government says should not have happened.

The project, which is close to completion, was initially approved in 2009. It includes nine wind turbines meant to produce enough electricity to power just over 3,000 homes annually.

NEW: The president of the company who's wind project will be cancelled by @fordnation government says the move will cost ratepayers $100 million plus and that the project was supposed to come into operation this fall #onpoli

— Marieke Walsh (@MariekeWalsh) July 10, 2018

Promise made, promise kept. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/lWuhi1Sek8

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) July 4, 2018