Geotechnical Challenges in the Construction of the Niagara Wind Farm, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT: The Niagara Region Wind Energy Project consists of 77 wind energy turbines with a total capacity of 230 MWs, located in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. The project also included the construction of 50 kilometres of overhead transmission lines stretching across the Niagara Region. This project was one of the largest wind farms constructed in Ontario. The Niagara Region wind farm was constructed within the Niagara Escarpment- a large bedrock escarpment, that is protected for its environmental significance, and natural beauty. The geology in the area of the project ranged from shallow bedrock associated with the escarpment feature, to deep soft lacustrine clays associated with Lake Erie clay plains. The wind turbines use 3 MW nacelles, supported on 124 m high towers. This wind farm was constructed in a geotechnically challenging, and environmentally significant area of southern Ontario. This paper provides a brief summary of the project, and describes the geotechnical issues associated with the challenging geology and a demanding construction schedule.