A wind turbine blade is manoeuvred from the Raynardton Road onto the Trunk 3 highway in Yarmouth County during an early July delivery to the Wedgeport Wind site. In this photo, the size of the blade is compressed by the angle from which the photo was taken. In reality, the blades being delivered are huge. The blades are 82 metres (269 feet) long. When the trucks transporting them are included, the total length is just under 100 metres (328 feet). ERVIN OLSEN ERVIN OLSENArticle contentThe transportation of the blades and tower sections for 12 Nordex seven-megawatt wind turbines to Upper Wedgeport, Yarmouth County, will continue well into August.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“As of the end of this week (July 24), we’ll be just under 50 per cent delivered and we expect transport activities will continue through August,” said Jonathan Turner, spokesperson for Elemental Energy, Wedgeport Wind project proponents.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentRegular transport activities commenced the second week of July, with plans to deliver anywhere from three to seven turbine components six days per week to the Black Pond Road.Article content“Transport activities have been going according to plan, and we continue to make adjustments to our schedule to accommodate community events and external resources such as provincial transport escorts,” said Turner.Article contentThe transportation of the massive windmill components has not been without challenges.Article content“We had a transport incident (July 14) near Granite Village in Shelburne County. While there was a disruption of traffic on the 103 for several hours, there wasn’t any involvement with public vehicles, and there wasn’t any damage to the transport vehicle or the turbine blade,” said Turner.Article contentThe turbine blades are 82 metres (269 feet) long. Including the transport truck, the total length is just under 100 metre (328 feet). The other turbine components have a total length, including the vehicle, of between 30 and 50 metres.Article contentArticle content One of the turbine components travelling along Highway 103 for its destination at the Wedgeport Wind site on the Black Pond Road in Wedgeport, Yarmouth County. The transportation and delivery of blades and components for the wind farm started in July and continues into August. TINA COMEAUArticle contentThe first turbine blades were transported from Mulgrave to Upper Wedgeport in late June.Article contentArticle contentThere has been some concerned expressed with the Wedgeport & District Fire Department being located on the Black Pond Road and what would happen in an emergency in the event a wind turbine component was being transported at the same time, blocking road access.Article contentMunicipality of Argyle Deputy Warden Ted Saulnier said the issue was discussed by municipal council.Article content“Council requested and received an emergency response plan from the department, and it is clear they have planned for the possibility that an emergency call could be made at the same time the components are in delivery. The plan met Elemental Energy’s approval and included help from neighboring fire departments,” he said.Article content“A project this large, and with this many moving parts, it carries risks. Turbine components turning into Black Pond Road temporarily blocks access to traffic to and from that road,” Saulnier added.
Wedgeport Wind: Turbine transport and delivery progressing according to plan
