Released on April 18, 2001
Saskatchewan's first major supply of green power is shaping up to come froma $20 million wind power project proposed for construction five kilometres
southeast of Gull Lake.
Natural Resources Canada Minister Ralph Goodale and Crown Investments
Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag announced today Enbridge Inc. and
Suncor Energy Inc. would develop the SunBridge Wind Power Project. The
ability to pursue the project was, in part, due to the Government of
Canada's Budget 2000 commitment to purchase electricity from emerging
renewable sources in Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island. For
Saskatchewan, this purchase will total $12.4 million over 10 years.
Suncor and Enbridge submitted the winning bid to construct and operate the
wind power facility and SaskPower will the purchase the electricity. The
power will be used for federal government buildings in Saskatchewan and
other customers starting in 2002.
Construction of the SunBridge Wind Power Project, which is subject to
public consultation and environmental regulatory approvals, is scheduled to
start this May. It is expected to be fully commissioned by June, 2002.
"This initiative will help develop markets for renewable energy like wind
power in Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada," Goodale said. "Our
investment in renewable electricity will help us meet a significant
proportion of our energy requirements in a way that is environmentally
friendly and consistent with our national action plan on climate change.
We are pleased our contribution is a driving force for the construction of
the Gull Lake wind power facility."
"Through SaskPower, the Government of Saskatchewan is committed to
investing in wind power technology as a safe, renewable energy source,"
Sonntag said. "The SunBridge Wind Power Project is a major first step
toward developing a viable and cost-effective green power industry in
Saskatchewan. Green power will help meet the province's growing energy
needs in an environmentally sustainable manner that does not contribute to
climate change. We look forward to additional wind power development that
will see the provincial government and other customers meet a portion of
our needs with wind-generated electricity."
Commenting on the significance of the SunBridge Wind Power Project,
SaskPower President and CEO John Wright noted "the federal supply contract
represents the single largest purchase of green power the Government of
Canada has ever made. As such, it is an important part of our business
plan and a reflection of our commitment to further develop green power
sources as we balance our customers' needs for secure and cost-effective
supply, with a shared concern for the environment."
Suncor President and CEO Rick George said SunBridge is part of his
company's overall plan to invest $100 million in alternative and renewable
energy projects by 2005. "This is a major step toward building an
alternative and renewable energy business that will help to diversify
Canada's sources of energy for the future and give consumers the option to
choose renewable energy to meet their energy needs."
Enbridge President and CEO Patrick D. Daniel said, "Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
has had a presence in Saskatchewan for over 50 years and is SaskPower's
single largest customer, operating over 3300 kilometers of pipeline through
the province. We believe participation in this project will enhance our
relationship with the government and people of Saskatchewan. This project
also fits in with Enbridge's strategies of investing in emerging energy
technologies, and of working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, addressing
the issue of global climate change."
When operational, SunBridge's 17 turbines will have a capacity of just over
11 megawatts of electricity for distribution through the Saskatchewan power
grid. High wind speeds in the Gull Lake area, combined with proximity to
existing power lines, were key factors in the selection of the location for
Saskatchewan's first large-scale wind power project.
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For more information, contact:
SaskPower Suncor Energy Natural Resources
Canada
Larry Christie Bruce Debaie Pat Breton
Phone: (306) 566-3167 Phone: (403) 205-6966 Press Secretary
Toll-free: 1-888-536-0000 Phone: 1-888-786-2671 Phone: (613) 996-
2007
lchristie@saskpower.com
Enbridge
Media Investment Community
Jim Rennie Al Monaco
Phone: (403) 231-3931 Phone: (403) 231-3973
jim.rennie@corp.enbridge.com al.monaco@corp.enbridge.com