​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 designs the mechanical noise is almost obsolete, resulting in only the interaction of the air and the turbine parts producing noise. This noise decreases as the radial distance from the turbine increases. To relate this, the compressor of a refrigerator produces 40-45 dB of noise. According to the Government of New 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). 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 requires wind energy projects not to exceed 30 minutes/ day or 30 hours/ year of shadow flicker at any receptor and cannot exceed 40 dB[A] of sound at any receptor. From initial assessments, the proposed Wocawson Energy Project is not expected to exceed these thresholds due to the distance from dwellings. The noise threshold of 40 dB[A] is approximately the same loudness as a running computer, refridgerator, or running stream.

The proposed turbines are set back 1.2km from all cabins and houses.

The turbines being considered for this project have a maximum height of 210m to blade tip. Wind turbines have gotten larger over the past few years which allows them to produce more power and reduces the amount of wind turbines needed to meet energy demands. Though these larger turbines are more efficient and reduce the ground disturbance by reducing the amount of turbines needed, they are taller and increase 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 Crown Land owned by the Province of New Brunswick. While the project is in operation, the land will still be owned by the province. Wocawson Energy LP will simply obtain a wind power lease over the land in which the turbines are located.

No land will be expropriated from landowners. Natural Forces has many operating windfarms on private lands in Nova Scotia. In these cases, the company has developed, over years, a trusted relationship with the landowners and in all instances, the land still remains in the ownership of the landowner and is leased for the duration of the project. No land has been leased from unwilling landowners. In regards to the Wocawson Energy Project, the majority of the project is located on crown lands except for the proposed transmission line. For this line, New Brunswick Power has initiated notifications and discussions with landowners where the line may cross.

There is always a possibility, however, currently Wocawson Energy LP has signed a 20 MW Power Purchase Agreement with New Brunswick Power. Natural Forces is always happy to hear from landowners who are open to having a Project on their land. If you are interested, you can provide your name and contact information as well as the Property Identification Number for your land. Though there are no new programs open for renewable energy development in New Brunswick, we would be happy to consider your land for future projects.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the emissions produced within the New Brunswick Power energy sector, using a very conservative estimate the Wocawson Energy Project is predicted to offset the carbon that may be emitted during its cradle to grave 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.

It is estimated that the Wocawson Energy Project will provide up to 115 – 135 construction jobs. These positions will be held by local-subcontractors hired under Natural Forces who will act as General Contractor during the construction phase of the project. 

Wocawson Energy LP is aware of that the snowmobile club is one of the biggest land users in the surrounding area and we have been, and will continue to work closely with the Snowmobile Club to ensure impacts to snowmobile trails are minimized.

Thus far, barn owls have not been observed during field surveys. All species that are observed over all survey seasons will be compiled in the registered Environmental Impact Assessment document which will be made available in print near the project site and electronically on the website for review and comment.

The transmission line may cross wetlands and watercourses. These aquatic features will be delineated and monitored by qualified professionals and further analysis of these features will occur for careful micro-siting of Project components. Micro-siting will help avoid these features and ensure impact is minimized to the extent possible.

The turbine model chosen for this project is an Enercon E126-EP3 and will has a capacity of 4.0 MW, which will power approximately 950 homes annually even with periods of low wind. The turbine hub height is 135 m high, and the blade length is approximately 63.5 m long resulting in a maximum height of 198.5m.