Ontario's Landmark Green Energy Plan Delivers
TORONTO, Mar 10, 2010 -- Canada NewsWire
510 renewable projects get go-ahead, including rooftop solar
installations for Loblaw Companies retail stores
The future will be brighter for many businesses in Ontario as more than
500 new green energy projects, most of them solar power installations,
were approved today.
These 510 projects are the first larger power generators to obtain
contracts through Ontario's landmark Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program, the
most comprehensive of its kind in North America. FIT encourages the
development of renewable energy projects from a diverse range of
producers, including homeowners, schools, farmers, large retailers and
small businesses, by offering long-term, stable prices for the
electricity generated.
"Everybody is participating, from everywhere in Ontario, from
farmers, schools and hospitals to large scale retail and commercial
operations," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
"These projects will create a new source of income while providing new
clean and green electricity in Ontario - particularly on hot, sunny
summer days when demand soars. With our new domestic content rules,
these projects will also help create new 'green collar' jobs here in
Ontario, as well as major economic investments in equipment and services
here at home."
The 510 projects are to be built in 120 communities across Ontario by
farmers, municipalities, local distribution companies, commercial
businesses, industrial customers, public institutions, such as schools
and hospitals, a winery and even a church. The projects range from 10
kilowatts to 500 kilowatts and have a total generating capacity of 112
megawatts - enough energy to power more than 13,000 homes. About 95
percent of the projects are for solar generation. The remaining projects
are biogas (20), water (4), onshore wind (3) and biomass (1). A detailed
list of the projects is available on the Ontario Power Authority's
website at www.fit.powerauthority.on.ca
Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada's largest grocery retailer, has been
approved for FIT applications for rooftop solar installations on 136 of
its Ontario stores. The grocery retailer will initially launch four
pilot projects in select stores across the province and then evaluate
the next phase of rollouts.
"This initiative is part of Loblaw's overall effort to support renewable
energy sources and green operation and embraces ways to reduce our
carbon footprint," said Bob Chant, vice president, corporate affairs,
Loblaw Companies Limited. "We are committed to driving green energy
production using new and innovative technologies, such as this pilot
project with photovoltaic panels."
The Feed-in Tariff program's domestic content requirements ensure that a
key portion of the technology used for renewable energy generation comes
from Ontario. Developers must meet a certain percentage of
made-in-Ontario goods and labour at the time the project reaches
commercial operation. For solar photovoltaic projects larger than 10
kilowatts, the requirement is 50 per cent today, which will increase to
60 per cent on Jan. 1, 2011.
"The Ontario Power Authority is very excited about today's announcement.
Over the last year, we consulted, developed and launched the program.
These first contracts really bring the program to life and highlight its
success," said Colin Andersen, CEO of the Ontario Power Authority.
The Ontario Power Authority began accepting FIT applications on Oct. 1,
2009 and received 956 eligible applications for the first round of FIT
contracts, including the 510 projects announced today. Due to their size
(up to 500 kilowatts), these projects can be connected to Ontario's
electricity grid without detailed impact assessments necessary for
larger projects.
The FIT program, one of the cornerstones of Ontario's Green Energy Act,
provides stable, guaranteed pricing to renewable energy producers. It
supports the province's commitment to eliminate dirty coal-fired
generation by the end of 2014 - the single largest climate change
initiative in Canada. FIT and other initiatives under the Green Energy
Act will support the creation of 50,000 "green collar" jobs.
The OPA is responsible for ensuring a reliable, sustainable supply of
electricity for Ontario. Its four key areas of focus are: planning the
power system for the long term, leading and co-ordinating conservation
initiatives across the province, ensuring development of needed
generation resources, and supporting the continued evolution of the
electricity sector.
SOURCE: Ontario Power Authority
SOURCE: Green News
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