Minister rejects efforts by West Hants to limit where wind turbines can be built
The provincial government has recently rejected an effort by the West Hants Regional Municipality to create more distance between wind turbines and private land. This decision will have a significant impact on wind turbine development not only in West Hants but across Nova Scotia.
In September, the West Hants regional council voted to require commercial turbines to be at least 2.5 kilometres from abutting property lines unless there is consent from the landowner to be closer. They also amended the bylaw to ensure that developments are not visually intrusive in the landscape. However, Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr deemed these amendments too restrictive and introduced rules that will be consistent province-wide.
The province’s new rules base distance from homes on a minimum of four times the wind turbine height. This means that existing turbines in West Hants, which are about 150 metres tall, and upcoming projects using 216-metre models will need to adhere to these guidelines. The amendments also take into account sound levels and shadows but remove the reference to visual impacts.
Abraham Zebian, the mayor of West Hants, expressed disappointment at the decision but acknowledged that the minister has final say over planning documents. The regional council is now exploring options to limit the height and total number of wind turbines in the municipality in response to community concerns.
One of the projects affected by these changes is the Bear Lake project by EverWind, which aims to build hundreds of turbines across Nova Scotia to produce green hydrogen. The company’s director of engagement, Mark Stewart, emphasized the importance of consistent rules across municipalities for large-scale renewable energy projects to meet the province’s climate goals.
As the province aims for 80% renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning standards for clean electricity projects is crucial. While the decision may have disappointed some residents and officials in West Hants, it reflects a broader effort to streamline regulations and accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources.
