TransAlta replacing turbine foundations at New Brunswick wind farm

A woman walks towards the entrance of the TransAlta headquarters building in Calgary, on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. (Larry MacDougal / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

CALGARY -

TransAlta Renewables Inc. says it will have to replace all 50 turbine foundations at a wind farm in New Brunswick where a tower collapsed last year.

The company says an analysis indicates that deficiencies in the original design of the foundations have caused cracks within the foundations and that they must be replaced.

Based on initial estimates, TransAlta says the replacement of the foundations at its Kent Hills 1 and 2 wind sites is expected to cost between $75 million and $100 million.

It also estimates it will result in foregone revenue of about $3.4 million per month on an annualized basis for so long as all 50 wind turbines are off-line, based on average historical wind production.

Revenue generation is expected to resume as wind turbines are individually returned to service following their foundation replacement. The company expects the foundations to be fully replaced by the end of 2023.

TransAlta says the foundation issues at the Kent Hills 1 and Kent Hills 2 sites are unique to the design of those sites and there is no indication of any issue at the Kent Hills 3 site or the company's other wind sites.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.