Sound

Turbines are designed to comply with strict European noise standards; their noise level is low. We have designed the wind farm to meet acceptable acoustic impact over a full range of wind speeds using industry established standards, and following New Brunswick provincial guidelines.

Visual Impacts

Visual impact is an important consideration in wind farm design. Visual modeling software has been used to assist us in creating a layout that minimizes any impact on viewscapes wherever possible. Turbines are painted an off-white or light gray colour. This colouring is believed to be the least intrusive colour under the widest range of light conditions. Transport Canada requires that turbines be equipped with nightime lighting for aircraft safety. Our lighting scheme will adhere to their recommendations. Environmental Factors

Jacques Whitford Stantec Consultants have been engaged to conduct studies to assess the natural environment, including wetlands, watercourses, plants and wildlife. Additionally, archaeological and cultural studies will be conducted by third parties.

Much of this second phase was assessed as part of the original Environmental Impact Assessment but there are an additional 10 potential turbines sites, within the original project study area that will be assessed.

For more information call Toll Free or visit our website at:

www.transalta.com/wind Toll Free: 1.877.547.3365

1. Oil cooler 2. Water cooler for generator 3. High voltage transformer 4. Ultrasonic wind sensors 5. VMP-Top controller with convertor 6. Service crane 7. Generator 8. Composite disc coupling 9. Yaw gears 10. Gearbox 11. Mechanical disc brake 12. Machine foundation 13. Blade bearing 14. Blade hub 15. Blade 16. Pitch cylinder 17. Hub controller

Turbine Components The Project

TransAlta Wind is advancing the state of readiness for a potential expansion to the Kent Hills Wind Farm. This is in anticipation of potential solicitations from NB Power for projects that would assist them in meeting their target to have 10 per cent of electricity used by New Brunswickers come from renewable sources. If successful in a bid to NB Power, this expansion would involve the addition of 18 wind turbines and 54 MW using the same Vestas V90 – 3 MW turbine technology that was used in the original Kent Hills Wind Farm. The Kent Hills Wind Farm presently includes 32 wind turbines, a substation and a 23 kilometre overhead and underground collection system connecting the turbines. Our proposed expansion would include the 18 additional turbines, 1 permanent met tower and will incorporate approximately 18.7 km of overhead and underground collection system. Once this phase is complete the entire wind farm size would be 50 turbines and would have a capacity of 150 MW. The project would interconnect into the existing Kent Hills substation and transmission line.

Location

The Kent Hills Wind Farm is located on Crown Land 13 km WNW of Riverside-Albert in Albert County in the south-east region of New Brunswick in an area geographically known as the Kent Hills. The site is 27 km SSE of Salisbury, and 32 km SSW of Moncton.

The Companies

TransAlta Wind is the wind energy division of TransAlta Corporation, one of Canada’s largest non-regulated power generation and wholesale marketing companies. TransAlta Wind develops, owns and operates wind power plants across Canada. We operate 251 MW of wind power and are one of Canada’s most experienced builders, owners and operators of wind energy facilities with six operating wind farms, two new wind farms presently under construction and development prospects of more than 2000 MW in regions across the country. Natural Forces Technologies Inc. is a wind development company based in Nova Scotia and proud of their strong work ethic and expertise with local issues pertaining to wind farm development. The company has a broad range of experience with over six years in the wind energy sector. The company’s aim is to develop, own and operate wind farms in order to bring the economic and environmental benefits from wind development to the Maritimes.

Kent Hills Wind Farm Expansion

Project Information March 2009

Project Size: 54 MW No. of Turbines: 18 (20 shown) Met Towers: 1 (2 shown) Tower Height: 80m Blade Length: 45m Make & Model Vestas V90 3 MW

Roads (estimated) Upgraded 3.1 km New 12.2 km Collection System (estimated) Overhead 4.1 km Underground 14.6 km

Kent Hills Expansion Facts

Wind Turbines

Presently, we have identified 20 potential sites for the 18 additional turbines that we propose for the expansion. Considering wind characteristics, terrain, geotechnical investigations, cultural, historical resources or environmental suitability, we will select only the most appropriate sites for the additional turbines. The turbines have a nameplate capacity of 3.0 MW each for a total of 54 MW. They will have a hub height of about 80 metres. There are three fiberglass blades, each 45 metres in length. The generator is mounted on the hub and collectively with blades weigh close to 100 tonnes. This model of turbine has been selected with careful consideration to the wind conditions at this site.

Interconnection and Substation Upgrade

The wind turbines generate the power that will be carried down inside each tower to the base. An underground cable will be trenched to connect between the towers. The main project substation is centrally located in the middle of the project. Electricity between groups of towers will be carried by new overhead or underground lines to this main wind farm substation. We estimate there will be 14.6 km of new underground and 4.1 km of new overhead lines within the wind farm area.

The substation site area will be expanded and two additional transformers will be installed.

Foundations

The design of the foundations will depend on the geotechnical conditions at site and no drilling has yet been carried out at these new sites. We expect that rock anchor foundations will prove to be the most suitable design as with the first phase of the wind farm, but a spread footing foundation design may also be considered.

Roads and Access

Some road construction will be necessary but wherever possible or feasible we will be utilizing the existing network of forestry roads by extending or upgrading any existing roads. We estimate there will be approximately 3.1 km of upgraded road and 12.2 km of new road construction.

Schedule and Timing

This proposed project currently remains in the planning and early approval stage. However, it would be possible to begin construction in 2010 and complete the facility in late 2010 or early 2011.