The Municipality of the County of Cumberland council has approved the second reading of a rezoning application for a property on John Black Road in East Amherst. This decision, finalized on April 27, 2026, changes the land use of a 250-acre section of the property from Country Residential to Rural Resource.
The rezoning clears the way for Natural Forces Solar to build a new solar energy project at 530 John Black Road. This site is already home to the Amherst Community Wind Farm, which has operated two wind turbines on the property since 2017. By building the solar array in the same location, the project will share existing infrastructure and grid connections.
The proposed solar installation will include approximately 12,700 solar panels and is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 700 homes, providing clean energy to residents from East Amherst to Tidnish. Construction is expected to begin in late spring 2026, with the project set to be completed before the end of the year.
The area surrounding the project site features a mix of agricultural, residential, and recreational land, though the portion designated for the new solar development is largely wooded. As part of the planning process, the company hosted an information session for the public on March 10, 2026.
This development follows earlier work by the municipality to update land-use policies. In early 2022, the county implemented a temporary pause on wind farm developments to review planning guidelines following community feedback regarding energy projects in the region. The current solar project is moving forward as part of ongoing efforts to increase renewable energy capacity in the area.
