Since wind turbines are large mechanical equipment, they can be expected to produce noise. However, as wind turbine technology has evolved, the sound emitted by wind turbines has decreased. In current gearless designs, the mechanical noise is minimal, resulting almost exclusively from the interaction of the air and the turbine blades. This noise decreases as the radial distance from the turbine increases. According to the Government of Nova Scotia, a wind energy project would have a noise level of between 35-45 dB at 350 meters away (Check out the Energy Nova Scotia Wind Page for more information). To relate this, the compressor of a refrigerator produces 40-45 dB of noise. Federal and provincial jurisdictions establish minimum distances from turbines to occupied dwellings to minimize this noise. 

A study done by Health Canada in 2014 investigated the health effects of wind turbine noise. This study found that wind turbine noise was not associated with self-reported slip, illness, or stress levels. The summary of these results can be reviewed on the Health Canada Environmental and Workplace Health page. 

Shadow flicker is created when the sun is at a certain angle behind the turbine. When the sun shines through the blades, the movement of the blades can cause a shadow that flickers on and off as the blades rotate onto the land. New Brunswick has identified sector specific guidelines for wind turbines that require wind energy projects not to exceed 30 minutes/ day or 30 hours/ year of shadow flicker at any receptor. From initial assessments, the Project is not expected to exceed these thresholds due to the distance from year-round dwellings.  

The proposed turbines are set back over a kilometer from year-round dwellings. 

The turbines being considered for the Project have a maximum height of approximately 200m to blade tip. Wind turbines have gotten larger over the past few years, allowing them to produce more power and reducing the amount of wind turbines needed to meet energy demands. Though these larger turbines are more efficient and reduce ground disturbance by reducing the number of turbines needed, they are taller and thus can be seen from further areas surrounding the Project. Photomontages will be completed where photos are taken of local areas and with software aid the turbine can be realistically imposed on the photo to provide a general idea of what the landscape will look like once the Project is built. 

The Project is proposed on provincial Crown land. While the Project is in operation, the land will still be owned by the province. To own and operate the Project, Natural Forces will obtain a wind power lease, or other necessary real property rights, over the land on which the turbines are located. 

Based on data published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the emissions produced within the New Brunswick energy sector alongside a lifecycle carbon emission assessment completed for wind projects in Atlantic Canada, the Project is predicted to offset the carbon that may be emitted during its lifecycle within the first year of operation. This allows at least 29 years of operation to offset emissions produced in the New Brunswick electricity sector from fossil fuel emitting sources. 

At wind speeds above 30m/s (108 km/h), the turbine blades feather to not catch the wind and the hub rotates the blade, so they are parallel to wind direction. This causes the turbine blades to reduce their speed drastically to ensure no damage is done to the turbines. 

It is estimated that the  Project will provide approximately 300 jobs during construction.  During construction, Natural Forces and our partners make every effort to hire local contractors. Our in-house construction management company, Natural Forces Construction, is set up to ensure smaller contractors are able to participate.   

Natural Forces is aware of snowmobile and hiking clubs in the surrounding area and are committed to working closely with these stakeholders to ensure that impacts to snowmobile and hiking trails are minimized.