HALDIMAND—Haldimand County Council has reaffirmed its stance against industrial wind development with a recent motion, maintaining the longstanding moratorium on wind farms within the County.
The approved updates, passed unanimously December 16, 2024, clarify Council’s position on municipal support for all energy projects under the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Long-Term 2 Request for Proposal (LT2 RFP).
Notably, wind energy was explicitly excluded. Haldimand’s CAO Cathy Case explained, “Council has made it clear that they are not willing to support any wind development projects at this time. This stance aligns with the community’s desire to prioritize other energy sources while keeping wind projects off the table.”
The motion ensures that municipal support letters, which are required for project submissions to the IESO, will not be issued for wind energy proposals. Instead, support will focus on other energy solutions, including solar, nuclear, and innovative clean technologies.
The update follows Council’s deliberation earlier in December. While the original report proposed revisiting the 2013 moratorium on wind farms, Council opted to uphold the prohibition, citing both historical opposition to wind projects and the availability of alternative energy options.
During the meeting, Councillor Patrick O’Neill sought clarification on whether any energy opportunities were being missed because of this moratorium.
“We have had requests for wind development, including one recently, but proponents are aware that Haldimand County is not open to industrial wind projects,” explained Lidy Romanuk, Haldimand County’s Manager of Economic Development and Tourism.
O’Neill also inquired about the timeline for revisiting the decision if Council was interested, considering this potential for missed opportunities. Case responded that the LT2 RFP process will run over the next four years, with annual project intakes. However, revisiting the moratorium would require a two-thirds majority vote by Council during this term.
“Once this decision is made, it remains in place unless Council directs staff to revisit it,” Case clarified, adding that the moratorium could be reassessed by a future Council.
The updated recommendations mean municipal support will be provided only for energy projects that meet specific criteria, including community engagement, environmental assessments, and financial contributions through Community Support Agreements. Eligible project types include solar, nuclear, battery storage, and other clean technologies, which are permitted in designated industrial and agricultural zones.
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley emphasized that the decision aligns with the County’s broader energy goals.
“We are committed to supporting clean, sustainable energy development that benefits our residents and aligns with our values. At this time, wind energy does not fit that vision,” Bentley said.
She added that the County remains open to innovative solutions that prioritize community engagement and economic growth.
The updated report also introduced additional considerations for energy projects, including requirements for landscape buffering, decommissioning plans, and agricultural impact assessments for developments on prime agricultural lands. These measures aim to ensure that projects minimize their environmental footprint.
As previously reported, Nanticoke is one of three OPG locations in Ontario under consideration by the province for a major energy project to prepare for increasing energy demands (see more below). The IESO projects a 75% growth in demand by 2050, driven by economic expansion and electrification. Any of the three sites could be used to house an additional 16,000 megawatts of energy, as all are zoned for electricity generation and have proximity to transmission.
As Ontario continues its energy transition, Haldimand County’s position sets a clear precedent for balancing provincial energy needs with local decision-making.
