SaskPower (Canada) announced that steel towers to support wind power turbines are under construction in Saskatchewan as the provincial government proceeds with one of the largest wind power projects in Canada. SaskPower is constructing a $250 million, 150 MW wind farm 25 km southeast of Swift Current to augment its existing Cypress wind power facility near Gull Lake.
When the Rushlake Creek wind power project is completed in December 2005, it will generate enough electricity for 64,000 homes. Construction of the towers began a couple of weeks ago and will continue until October when the last of the towers is expected to be delivered to the site in Saskatchewan's southwest.
Hitachi Canadian Industries, subcontracted by Vestas Canada, will manufacture 83 steel towers for the wind power facility. Each will be 67 m tall and will support the Vestas wind turbine generator and gearbox as well as anchor the three long blades that turn in the wind. Hitachi will also supply the internal assembly for the towers, including ladders, platforms and electrical components.
