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| Lake Sturgeon on Abitibi - Photo: John Campbell. |
MNR is committed to conducting science research to better understand the potential effects and benefits of renewable energy. MNR is currently engaged in several research project partnerships with agencies, academic institutions and industry such as Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, University of Western Ontario, Bird Studies Canada and the Canadian Wind Energy Association.
Recent MNR renewable energy research projects include: studies related to species at risk, coastal engineering, bird and bat migration, bat hibernacula, fish and fish habitat, as well as the creation of a bird and bat monitoring database. MNR will continue to work collaboratively with science partners from Ontario, Canada and the United States to improve our state of knowledge and inform development of renewable energy projects in Ontario.
Black-backed Woodpecker: Photo Simon Dodsworth Bat in flight - Small footed bat
REPORTS NOW AVAILABLE
A summary of wind turbine related bird and bat mortality in Ontario can be found on the Bird Studies Canada Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring database. The summary represents the current state of wind-wildlife knowledge, based on Canadian and Ontario data.
Monitoring results from Ontario wind power projects are consistent with studies from around the world, which show that low numbers of bird fatalities occur at wind power projects. Ontario results show that approximately 2.5 birds per year are killed by individual wind turbines.
In Ontario, annual bat mortality estimates range from 4 to 14 bats per turbine per year, compared to North American estimates of turbine mortality at 1 to 50 bats per year.
Ontario has established a threshold approach to identify and mitigate significant bird and bat mortality resulting from the operation of wind turbines. Should regulated thresholds be reached, mitigation is required, including shutting down turbine operations during high risk periods.
The Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring database positions Ontario as a leader in North America in supporting science-based partnerships and requiring robust data that can be used to identify bird and bat mortality and patterns associated with wind power projects. The government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, is an active partner in the BSC data base.
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| Waterpower Project on Crown Land |
Economic Impact of Waterpower Projects on Crown Lands in Ontario. This report examines the combined potential economic impact of 41 proposed waterpower projects at a local, regional and provincial scale. PDF - 2.7Mb
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| Greenwhich Wind Farm |
Economic Impact of the Greenwich Wind Farm. This report evaluates the quantitative and qualitative economic impact of this 99 MW facility, located 100% on Crown land, at the local, regional and provincial scale. PDF - 1.4Mb
- “Offshore Wind Power Coastal Engineering Report – Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Coastal Engineering Study Recommendations”; Baird and Associates Coastal Engineers Ltd. and Beacon Environmental May 2011 (PDF 3.8 Mb)
- The Potential Effects of Offshore Wind Power Projects on Fish and Fish Habitat in the Great Lakes (PDF 1.79Mb)
- Offshore Wind Power Projects in the Great Lakes: Background Information and Science Considerations for Fish and Fish Habitat (PDF 3.11Mb)
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| Ontario Waterpower Association Guide |
The Best Management Practices Guide for the Mitigation of Impacts of Waterpower Facility Construction was developed to provide practical and current best management practices that will assist proponents to determine how best to construct, rehabilitate or repair a waterpower facility in an environmentally responsible manner.
The resource document consists of thirty eight (38) activity specific best management practices including topics related to in-water work, civil construction, vegetation management, and other key considerations.
The OWA guide was developed under the guidance of a Steering Committee with representation from the Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA), OPG, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
