Simulation of the infrastructure project on the Port au Port peninsula
Opposition is mounting to a proposed wind farm for the Port au Port peninsula, the first phase of which 164 turbines will be built to power a hydrogen operation based in the port of Stephenville.
Cabox Aspiring Geopark President Paul Wylezol says they are working on a proposal for UNESCO to formally recognize the Port au Port region as a unique area of ​​geological interest similar to the Discovery Geopark on the Bonavista Peninsula.
Wylezol says area residents were blinded by the proposal, of which they knew nothing until media reports began to emerge about the wind farm registration through the environmental assessment process.
Entrepreneur John Risely with World Energy GH2, the company behind the proposal, met with area residents last week to provide information and answer questions about the plan.
Wylezol says it looks like the Port au Port proposal is just the beginning.
He says five sites have been identified for future development, including the Lewis Hills and Blomidon Mountains and the south coast of the Highlands to Cape Anguille.
Wylezol says the biggest concern is the lack of information.
He says they are looking for information on benefits, impacts and responsibilities. “Why the secret?” Wylezol asks.
The deadline to make public comments on the proposal is July 27, and Wylezol is asking residents to get involved.