Sault Ste. Marie Moves on New Solar and Wind Projects
Published · 4 min read
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is weighing several renewable energy proposals. The plans include both solar and wind projects. Some developers are named. Others are not yet public. City council will review the files and decide on support. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) still must approve contracts. Public input will run through each step.
What’s on the table
The city could see four new solar farms and one large wind farm. The solar projects together are worth about $500 million. When online, they could make up to 250 megawatts (MW) of clean power. They would add capacity to the west end to help future growth, like a possible public port and green industry.
| Project | Type | Value / Size | Planned Location(s) | Partners |
| Project 1 | Solar | ~$70M; ~190 acres | Leigh’s Bay and Carpin Beach (rural zoned) | PUC (≥ 10% equity) |
| Project 2 | Solar | ~$400M; ~970 acres | Sault Ste. Marie Airport (several sites) | PUC, Axium Infrastructure, PowerBank |
| Additional Solar | Solar | Part of total 250 MW potential | Leigh’s Bay, Carpin Beach, Airport lands | PUC + private developers |
| Canuck Wind Project | Wind | $580M; 100–200 MW; 35–40 towers | North of the Sault; ~half towers in city | Batchewana First Nation, EDF Power Solutions |
The wind team has signed about 4,000 acres with private landowners so far. More talks are underway. A separate Canarm–Batchewana First Nation partnership is also advancing a solar plan that centers local jobs and community benefits. Canarm has an independent wind concept as well.
Why it matters for the city
PUC ownership: The utility will hold at least 10% equity in the solar program. The city owns PUC. So project returns would flow back to the community.
| Benefit | Details |
| Host payments | City could receive $300,000 per year from the wind project (about $6 million over the life of the project). |
| Host Community Fund | Proposed $500,000 per year for local needs: scholarships, school meals, recreation, trails, and local foundations. |
| Taxes & fees | Property tax on facilities plus upfront development fees; expected significant returns to the city. |
| Jobs | Construction and operations work; Indigenous partnership aims to grow local employment. |
Approvals and timeline
- Now: City council considers letters of support and Host Community Agreements.
- October: Developers submit proposals to IESO.
- April: IESO plans next contract awards.
- 2026–2027: Environmental studies, ministry review, engineering, and procurement.
- 2027: Earliest start on construction, if selected and approved.
- 2027–2029: Target windows for operations, depending on project and schedule.
Every project must pass an independent environmental assessment. There will be public consultations at each stage. Some sites near watercourses may also need Conservation Authority permits. The process is careful by design because the risks are real.
A region with a clean-energy track record
The Sault’s energy story is not new. In 1875, a hydro dam at the St. Marys River rapids brought low-cost power. That helped early industry. In 1887, the railroad arrived and the population doubled. The area has kept building since then.
- Prince Wind Farm (2006): 126 turbines over 20,000 acres; 189 MW—enough for ~40,000 homes; cost $400+ million.
- Sault College: A Renewable Power Training Centre with Brookfield Power; a campus turbine; hands-on technician training.
- Pod Generating Group: Two solar fields totaling $360 million; enough power for about 21,000 homes.
- EnQuest Power: Pilot at the landfill to turn waste into syngas by heating refuse to 750–950°C.
- Transit biofuels: City buses tested diesel blends with plant-based fuels like canola to cut emissions.
Did you know?
- Prince Wind built 90 km underground and 26 km overhead collection systems, and 112 km of transmission lines.
- The area gets about 1,900 hours of sunlight each year.
- The Community Recycling Depot diverted 3+ tonnes of styrofoam and 60 tonnes of electronics in its first seven months.
- The Household Special Waste Facility diverted 120 tonnes of hazardous material in its first five years.
- Clean North turns 2,000+ Christmas trees into mulch each year.
- A $250 million ethanol plant using non-food biomass is under construction near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
What comes next
The city is balancing growth and care. Leaders want clean power and strong jobs. They also want to protect land, water, and culture. Support letters help with bids, but they don’t replace due diligence. The IESO decision will shape the next steps.
Residents can track council meetings and planned open houses. They can ask hard questions. They can weigh trade-offs. That’s how trust grows. And it’s how large energy builds should work.
For a closer look at the existing wind farm: start at Airport Road/Second Line West; go north on Allen’s Side Road; west on 3rd Line; north on Maki (which becomes 6th Line W), then Red Rock to the lake. On a clear day, you’ll see the towers on the ridge.
Bottom line: Sault Ste. Marie is pushing forward on solar and wind. The plans are big. The rules are strict. The benefits could be wider than power alone—jobs, skills, and shared value for the community.
