Overview
The Red Lily Wind Farm is an operational wind energy facility located in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. The project is situated north-west of the town of Moosomin, within the Rural Municipality of Moosomin No. 121. It functions as a key component of the regional renewable energy infrastructure, contributing to the power supply of the province through wind generation. The facility is owned by Concorde Pacific, which holds the primary stake in the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership. The development and construction phases of the wind farm were executed by Algonquin Power, establishing the physical infrastructure that supports the turbine array. The Red Lily Wind Farm has a total installed capacity of 25 MW. This capacity is generated by an array of sixteen wind turbines. Each turbine is a V82 model with a rated capacity of 1.65 MW. The combination of these sixteen units results in the aggregate output of 25 MW, providing a steady contribution to the local grid. The facility became operational in February 2011, marking the completion of the construction phase and the beginning of its energy production lifecycle. Construction work on the project commenced in 2010, indicating a relatively swift development timeline from groundbreaking to commissioning. The financial scale of the Red Lily Wind Farm project was approximately $60 million. This investment covered the costs associated with the procurement of the V82 turbines, site preparation, and the construction of the necessary infrastructure within the RM of Moosomin No. 121. The economic structure of the wind farm is supported by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with SaskPower. This agreement spans a period of 25 years, providing revenue stability for the owner, Concorde Pacific, and ensuring a consistent supply of wind-generated electricity for the provincial utility. The Red Lily Wind Farm represents a significant renewable energy asset in Saskatchewan, leveraging the region's wind resources to deliver clean power to the grid.History
The Red Lily Wind Farm project was initiated by the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership, a collaborative entity responsible for the facility's development and construction. Algonquin Power served as the primary developer and construction manager for the project, overseeing the physical realization of the wind energy infrastructure. The facility is situated in the Rural Municipality of Moosomin No. 121, located north-west of Moosomin, Saskatchewan. Ownership of the operational asset resides with Concorde Pacific, which holds the title to the wind farm following its completion.
Financial planning for the project established a total cost of $60 million for the development. This investment covered the procurement and installation of the turbine array and associated grid connection infrastructure. The project structure included a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with SaskPower, the provincial utility company. This agreement was structured for a duration of 25 years, providing revenue stability for the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership and securing a steady supply of wind-generated electricity for the Saskatchewan grid.
Construction and Commissioning Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Work on the project started, marking the beginning of the construction phase for the $60 million facility. |
| February 2011 | The facility came online, officially commencing operations with its full turbine array connected to the grid. |
Construction activities commenced in 2010, initiating the physical build-out of the wind farm. The project involved the installation of sixteen V82-1.65 MW wind turbines. These specific turbine models were selected to achieve the project's target installed capacity of 25 MW. The construction phase progressed over the following year, leading to the facility's operational debut. The wind farm officially came online in February 2011, marking the transition from construction to active energy generation. This commissioning date established the start of the 25-year power purchase agreement with SaskPower, integrating the Red Lily Wind Farm into the regional energy mix as an operational renewable energy asset.
Technical Specifications
The Red Lily Wind Farm utilizes a standardized turbine configuration designed for consistent energy output in the Saskatchewan landscape. The facility is equipped with sixteen wind turbines, specifically the V82-1.65 MW model. Each individual turbine has a rated capacity of 1.65 MW. The collective installed capacity of these sixteen units totals 25 MW, which defines the primary operational scale of the project.| Technical Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Turbine Model | V82-1.65 MW |
| Number of Turbines | 16 |
| Installed Capacity | 25 MW |
What is the ownership and development structure?
The Red Lily Wind Farm operates under a structured partnership model formalized as the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership. This organizational framework delineates distinct roles for ownership, development, and construction, ensuring clear operational responsibilities for the facility situated north-west of Moosomin, Saskatchewan, in the RM of Moosomin No. 121. The primary ownership of the facility rests with Concorde Pacific, which holds the asset as part of its broader energy portfolio. This ownership structure provides Concorde Pacific with the rights to the energy output and the financial returns generated by the wind farm's operations.
While Concorde Pacific holds the title, the development and physical construction of the Red Lily Wind Farm were executed by Algonquin Power. Algonquin Power served as the lead developer, managing the project from its initial stages through to completion. This division of labor is common in renewable energy projects, where specialized developers handle the capital-intensive construction phase before handing over operational control or retaining a stake in the long-term ownership.
The financial and contractual framework supporting this ownership and development structure is anchored by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). This agreement was established with SaskPower, the primary electricity utility in Saskatchewan. The PPA spans 25 years, providing a stable revenue stream that underpins the financial viability of the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership. This contractual arrangement was crucial in securing the approximately $60 million investment required for the project. Work on the construction began in 2010, with the facility officially coming online in February 2011. The 25-year term of the PPA aligns with the typical operational lifespan of wind turbine assets, ensuring that the energy generated by the 25 MW capacity facility is purchased at a predetermined rate, thereby mitigating market volatility for the owners and developers.
The structure of the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership reflects a strategic approach to risk management and capital allocation. By separating the development phase, led by Algonquin Power, from the long-term ownership held by Concorde Pacific, the project leveraged the specific strengths of each entity. Algonquin Power brought expertise in project execution and construction management, while Concorde Pacific provided the financial stability required for long-term asset holding. This model allowed for the efficient deployment of the sixteen turbines, each with a capacity of 1.65 MW, contributing to the regional energy mix in Saskatchewan. The partnership structure ensures that the operational responsibilities are clearly defined, facilitating smooth maintenance and ongoing performance monitoring of the wind farm.
How is the power purchase agreement structured?
Power Purchase Agreement and Financial Framework
The operational viability of the Red Lily Wind Farm is underpinned by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) established with SaskPower. This contractual arrangement is structured as a 25-year commitment, providing a stable revenue stream for the facility's owners and ensuring a predictable supply of wind-generated electricity for the provincial grid operator. The PPA serves as the primary financial mechanism that de-risks the investment, allowing the project to secure capital and proceed with construction despite the variable nature of wind energy production.
Project Cost and Capital Investment
The total capital cost for the Red Lily Wind Farm project was 60million.ThisfinancialoutlaycoveredtheprocurementofthesixteenV82−1.65MWwindturbines,sitepreparation,civilworks,andthenecessaryelectricalinfrastructuretoconnectthefacilitytotheSaskPowergrid.The60 million investment reflects the scale of the 25 MW capacity installation and the economic conditions of the Canadian wind energy market at the time of development. The cost structure was managed by Algonquin Power, which served as the developer and constructor of the facility, overseeing the project from initial planning through to final commissioning.
Development and Construction Timeline
Work on the Red Lily Wind Farm commenced in 2010, marking the beginning of the physical realization of the project. The construction phase was executed efficiently, with the facility coming online in February 2011. This rapid deployment timeline, spanning roughly one year from the start of work to operational status, highlights the streamlined development process managed by Algonquin Power. The timely commissioning allowed the wind farm to begin generating revenue under the 25-year PPA with SaskPower earlier than many comparable projects, maximizing the return on the $60 million capital investment. The facility has remained operational since its February 2011 launch, continuing to deliver power under the terms of the long-term agreement.
Significance
The Red Lily Wind Farm represents a significant addition to the renewable energy infrastructure of Saskatchewan, contributing to the province's diversification of its power generation mix. As a facility with an installed capacity of 25 MW, it plays a role in the regional grid managed by SaskPower, the primary utility provider in the province. The project's development highlights the strategic use of long-term contractual frameworks to secure investment in wind energy assets. Specifically, the facility was constructed under a 25-year power purchase agreement with SaskPower, providing revenue stability that is critical for the financial viability of wind farm projects in Canada.
121, north-west of Moosomin, the wind farm integrates into the local energy landscape through a partnership model. The facility is owned by Concorde Pacific and was developed and constructed by Algonquin Power, operating under the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership structure. This collaborative approach between ownership and development entities is common in the Canadian wind sector, allowing for the efficient deployment of capital and technical expertise. The project cost $60 million, with construction work commencing in 2010 and the facility coming online in February 2011.
The technical configuration of the Red Lily Wind Farm consists of sixteen V82-1.65 MW wind turbines. This specific turbine model and count result in the total 25 MW capacity, contributing to the operational status of the wind farm as a reliable source of wind power. The operational status of the facility since its 2011 commissioning demonstrates the enduring nature of wind energy infrastructure in the region. By adding 25 MW of wind capacity to the grid, the Red Lily Wind Farm supports the broader goal of integrating variable renewable energy sources into Saskatchewan's electricity supply, reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuel-based generation.
Location and Geography
The Red Lily Wind Farm is situated in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, specifically located north-west of the town of Moosomin. The facility falls within the municipal boundaries of the Rural Municipality (RM) of Moosomin No. 121, placing it in a region characterized by agricultural land use typical of central Saskatchewan. This geographic positioning allows the wind farm to leverage the prevailing wind patterns of the Canadian Prairies, which are critical for the operational efficiency of the installed turbine array.
The site selection for the Red Lily Wind Energy Partnership facility was determined by the proximity to existing transmission infrastructure and the specific wind resource potential of the area north-west of Moosomin. The project was developed and constructed by Algonquin Power, who identified this location as suitable for the deployment of sixteen V82-1.65 MW wind turbines. The total installed capacity of the facility is 25 MW, a scale appropriate for the land area allocated within the RM of Moosomin No. 121.
Construction activities for the wind farm commenced in 2010, with the facility officially coming online in February 2011. The geographic context of the site supports the logistical requirements for transporting turbine components, including blades, towers, and nacelles, to the installation points. The project was executed at a total cost of $60 million, reflecting the capital investment required to establish the infrastructure in this specific location in Saskatchewan.
The operational status of the Red Lily Wind Farm is currently operational, with ownership held by Concorde Pacific. This 25-year agreement ensures the integration of the wind-generated electricity into the broader Saskatchewan grid, facilitating energy delivery from the rural site north-west of Moosomin to regional demand centers.
The location within the RM of Moosomin No. 121 also implies specific environmental and land-use considerations. Wind farms in this region must navigate the agricultural landscape, often sharing land with crop production or pasture. The placement of the sixteen turbines is designed to optimize wind capture while minimizing the footprint on the surrounding rural municipality. The proximity to Moosomin provides a reference point for local stakeholders and grid operators monitoring the performance of the 25 MW facility.