Approval Process FAQ

Wind turbine projects of 2 MW or more are subject to the Electricity Projects Regulation (O.Reg. 116/01) of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). Project proponents must conduct an environmental screening according to the Ministry of the Environment’s (MOE) “Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects", which is available on the MOE website at: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/4021e.pdf.

Certificates of Approval will not be issued until the EAA requirements have been met.

In many cases, wind energy projects are also subject to the screening requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Any potential negative effects that are identified, and are pertinent to the project, require adequate assessment and/or mitigation before approval is granted. 

Wind turbines also require a Certificate of Approval (for Sound) under section 9 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), together with many other permits and approvals from all levels of government.

No – It is required to obtain an approval before construction, alteration, extension or replacement.

Wind turbine projects may be subject to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Project proponents can refer to Appendix F in the “Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects, March 2001" for further detail and federal contact information (available on the MOE website at: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/4021e.pdf).

In November 2004, the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation was signed, whereby proponents can coordinate the federal and provincial environmental assessment requirements, in consultation with both of these levels of government. However, projects must still meet all applicable provincial legislative regulatory requirements, policies and guidelines.