TRENTON, ON, Apr 26, 2006 -- Canada NewsWire

 

The McGuinty government is delivering on its plan to ensure safe, clean, reliable, and affordable power for the future with the opening of the Glen Miller Hydro Electric Station near Trenton, Energy Minister Donna Cansfield announced today.

"This is another example of a clean power project that will help make renewable energy a key part of Ontario's future energy supply mix," Cansfield said. "All Ontarians will benefit as we increase our renewable generation supply."

The eight-megawatt, $21 million hydro project on the Trent River will generate enough electricity to power up to 4,000 homes. Glen Miller is the first new hydro power station and the fifth new renewable energy project to open in the last year as a result of the government's renewable energy RFP process.

"We're very pleased to be helping the province meet the energy needs of Ontarians," said project developer Michel Letellier, executive vice president, Innergex. "We support the Ontario Government's initiative to execute long-term contracts with independent power producers. It enables us to invest in sustainable development in the province."

"I want to congratulate the government for its continuing efforts to support the hydro power sector," said Paul Norris, President, Ontario Water Power Association. "Hydro power has been and continues to be a key component of Ontario's generation mix."

The Glen Miller Hydro Electric Station is one of the 19 new, renewable energy projects the province has contracted to date. Combined, these projects will help Ontario reach its goal of generating five per cent of its electricity capacity through renewable generation by 2007, and ten per cent by 2010.

"We are proud that since 2003 we have significantly increased the amount of renewable energy generation and brought an estimated $3 billion in new investment to Ontario," Cansfield said.

One of the oldest hydroelectric sites on the Trent-Severn waterway, Glen Miller Hydro Electric Station, has been revitalized. The 8-megawatt, $21 million project will generate enough electricity to power up to 4,000 homes.

Located in the community of Glen Miller on the Trent River north of Trenton, Glen Miller Hydro Electric Station was one of 10 winning proposals in the government's first renewable energy Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2004.

The station developer, Innergex II Income Fund, is a private open-ended trust, that builds, own and operates hydroelectric power plants and wind farms in North America, especially in Canada. The Innergex Group contracted with Sonoco Canada, the owner of the site to revitalize the project.

The McGuinty government has set a target of generating five per cent of Ontario's total energy capacity from new renewable sources by 2007, and 10 per cent by 2010.

Through its renewable RFP process the government has contracted 19 projects for a total of 1,370 megawatts of clean renewable energy from wind, water, landfill gas and biogas projects.

Glen Miller Hydro Electric Station is the first new Ontario hydro station and the fifth renewable energy project to open as a result of the RFP process. Erie Shores Wind Project (99 megawatts) opened on April 13, 2006, Kingsbridge I Wind Project (40 megawatt) opened on April 6, 2006, Melancthon Grey Wind Project (67.5 megawatts) became commercially operational on March 4, 2006 and Eastview Land Fill Gas Project (2.5 megawatts) began operations on August 18, 2005.

SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Energy

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