Construction
The site for the Mersey River Wind project was chosen by the Halifax-based renewable energy company, Roswall Development, for its stable winds, proximity to the Milton substation and the network of solid access roads through previously logged forests. Environmental studies, public outreach and wind measurement began in 2020. The Mersey River Wind project will sell its electricity to Nova Scotians across the province through Roswall’s subsidiary Renewall Energy.
Phase 1 Construction Timeline
| Timeline | Construction Activity |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 - Summer 2026 | Road construction/upgrades |
| Fall 2025 | Tree clearing of transmission corridor |
| Spring - Fall 2026 | Substation, and operation and maintenance building |
| Spring - Summer 2026 | Transmission Line |
| Spring 2026 - Winter 2027 | Electrical collector system |
| Spring - Fall 2026 | Turbine foundations |
| Fall 2026 - Winter 2027 | Turbine component arrival and erection |
| Fall 2026 | First turbines begin generating electricity |
| Spring 2027 | Full project commissioning |
Construction is beginning on the Mersey River Wind project in the fall of 2025. The project will consist of 33 Vestas V150 wind turbines on 120m towers, built in two phases. The first phase will include 20 turbines, the project substation, and transmission line to the Milton substation. The second phase will include the last 13 turbines and associated roads. See the map below.
The first turbine components will arrive in the fall of 2026. We expect that electricity will be sold to consumers through our licensed retail supplier, Renewall Energy, by the spring of 2027 for a minimum of 25 years.
Access to the site will be maintained during construction. At times, areas of the site will be inaccessible to provide access for road construction and the transportation of wind turbine components. The areas surrounding active construction will be off-limits for hunting. We ask that hunters respect on-site signage for the safety of our workers. In addition to the map found below, there will be a map at the site entrance at 218 River Road indicating which areas are currently inaccessible due to construction activities.
The wind project construction process occurs in several stages. The first consists of mobilizing heavy equipment and constructing or upgrading the roads necessary to ensure proper access to the site for large vehicles and wind turbine component delivery. After the roads are upgraded, a fleet of concrete trucks will pour the large foundations for the turbines and the substation. Electrical lines will be installed to connect each turbine to the project substation, where the voltage equipment and control equipment will be located. The project substation will be connected to the Milton substation with a new high-voltage transmission line.
When the wind turbine components begin arriving in the port in the fall of 2026, they will be delivered to site and assembled with large cranes. Those first turbines are expected to begin generating electricity as they are completed in the fall of 2026. Finally, all 20 turbines of the first project phase will be tested and commissioned in the spring of 2027.
The website will be updated with the schedule for the second project phase when it is available.
