NaiKun closer to developing wind energy project

Growth in the wind energy industry has come from the urgent need to combat climate change.
While wind can be harnessed both on land and offshore, more frequently developers are looking offshore where the wind blows stronger and more consistently.
Canada's first offshore wind project is moving on par with the expectations of B.C Hydro. It is B.C. Hydro's Clean Power Call Request for Proposals (RFP) that emphasizes the provinces commitment to meeting B.C.'s growing energy needs with clean, renewable power sources. The RFP was issued on June 11. Responsible for the bold initiative is the NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc.
Echoing already successful offshore wind projects in Europe, NaiKun, based in Vancouver is a North American maverick in the field of renewable energy. NaiKun will attempt to meet B.C. Hydro's submission date of November 25, 2008.
Phase 1 will have a generating capacity of 320 MW.
"We welcome BC Hydro's Clean Power Call, as it will allow our company to move closer to developing our offshore wind energy project," said Paul Taylor, President of NaiKun Wind Energy Group in a press release.
To ensure NaiKun can meet the submission date, NaiKun will engage in the following activities:
-Advancing discussions with leading offshore wind turbine manufacturers regarding the supply and maintenance of turbines for Phase 1 and future phases of the project
-Analyzing wind data, ocean currents and patterns from NaiKun's meteorological station located at the project site in Hecate Strait and correlating with long term wind data from a number of the Environment Canada meteorological stations in the area.
-Advancing geophysical seabed surveys at the project site and transmission corridors. These surveys involve side-scan and multi-beam sonar, which provides detailed mapping of the seabed topography and make-up. Geophysical work to date confirms that the composition of the seabed is suited to large-scale wind projects.
-Continuing with detailed work necessary to support the environmental assessment of the project. Environmental field studies will be completed in late 2008 and the information from this work, together with feedback and input from First Nations, local communities and other interested parties, will be included in NaiKun's application for an environmental assessment certificate.
Throughout 2008 and into 2009, environmental and engineering field studies are being undertaken as part of the comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed NaiKun Offshore Wind Energy Project and to evaluate the conditions of the project site area.