Ohio to hold hearing for Icebreaker project

The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) said on Wednesday it will hold a hearing to give the public an opportunity to express their views about the 20.7-MW Icebreaker wind project in Lake Erie.

The project will see six 3.45-MW turbines erected in Lake Erie, some 8 miles to 10 miles off the shore of Cleveland. There will also be a 12-mile submerged transmission line that will connect the wind farm to an onshore substation of Cleveland Public Power.

The local public hearing is to take place on November 8 in Cleveland City Hall, the OPSB, which reviews proposals for utility facilities in the state, added. The adjudicatory hearing in the proceeding is planned for November 17.

The project is proposed by Icebreaker Windpower Inc, a company set up by Fred. Olsen Renewables. The original developer of the scheme is Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo), which subsequently tied up with Fred. Olsen Renewables. The aim of the project is to help stimulate an offshore wind industry in the Great Lakes.

At the end of July, it was announced that the OPSB has found that Icebreaker Windpower's application is in compliance, with LEEDCo's president Lorry Wagner describing the OSPB's determination as a major step forward in the state permitting process.

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