A wind farm now under construction in southern Newfoundland will generate enough electricity to run several small communities, and cut down on oil burned at a power plant, officials said.

Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale (centre) was among the officials taking part in a sod-turning ceremony Thursday in St. Lawrence.
(CBC)

A formal sod-turning ceremony was held Thursday in St. Lawrence on the NeWind farm, although construction — including a road to the site where turbines will eventually generate 27 megawatts of electricity — has been underway for some time.

"Wind is a common and very reliable source of energy on the island," NeWind president Pascal Brun told CBC News.

The site has a gentle sloping hill, designed to pick up a consistent supply of wind.

The project is the first commercial wind farm in Newfoundland and Labrador. Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale and officials with Crown-owned Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro participated in the launch.

"We have one of the best wind resources in the world — we really do — [and] not just in the house of assembly," Dunderdale joked during the ceremony.

'Wind is a common and very reliable source of energy on the island,' NeWind president Pascal Brun says.
(CBC)

The $55 million project is expected to deliver power next year.

The wind farm will provide enough power for about 6,800 homes. Hydro says the clean source of power will mean it can reduce the amount of oil it burns at its generating station in Holyrood by at least 160,000 barrels.

The nine turbines are each taller than Confederation Building.

St. Lawrence Mayor Wade Rowsell said residents are delighted with the project, which will deliver revenue to the community. He said the town's tax base is now secure.