Wind turbine coming to works depot

UXBRIDGE -- Although a project to build three large commercial wind turbines north of town is now dead, residents will likely see a mid-sized unit in Uxbridge in the future.

Regional Councillor Howie Herrema, also chairman of public works for Uxbridge, confirmed plans are in motion to erect a wind structure up to 140 feet tall at Uxbridge’s public works depot on Durham Rd. 8, west of Concession 6. He said residents can expect to see the structure, which will power the works depot itself, in “the next year and a half... there’s a lot of logistics (involved)”.       

Funding for the wind turbine is in the 2008 public works capital budget, in the amount of $200,000. A large portion, $125,000, will be paid through a government grant, said the councillor. The rest would be from tax dollars.

He did not have an estimate how much in annual energy savings to Uxbridge the turbine might offer.

A proposal from a resident to build three 320-foot tall wind turbines in Leasksdale fell through earlier this year when it was determined the project was not economically viable.