SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM OPENS FOR BENGOUGH SWIMMING POOL

Released on June 30, 2005

The community of Bengough, 100 kilometres southwest of Weyburn, is switching to renewable energy to heat its swimming pool. A new solar energy system is replacing natural gas as the main heat source for the pool.

"Bengough is demonstrating sustainability," Minister responsible for the Office of Energy Conservation David Forbes said. "By replacing natural gas with solar energy, they are reducing their impact on the environment, and reducing the cost of running an important community service, demonstrating that municipalities can be both green and prosperous."

"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide support to communities switching to renewable energy," Natural Resources Canada Minister R. John Efford said. "Helping Canadians reduce their dependence on traditional sources of energy and encouraging the development of new technologies helps address climate change."

Bengough received both federal and provincial financial incentives for its solar pool heating system. Saskatchewan's Community Initiatives Fund contributed $8,550 and Natural Resources Canada's Renewable Energy Deployment Initiative contributed $8,229. Bengough will recover the remaining $16,138 within three years through the savings from the reduction in the natural gas costs for the pool. The project will also avoid the annual emission of about 31 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

"Solar heating removes one of our main constraints," Bengough Regional Park Recreation Director Deb Ashby said. "Our pool season has been shrinking as the cost of energy rises. Now the cost of energy is no longer a factor in our planning."

As a result of the Bengough project, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association includes solar pool heating as one of its member advantage programs and, so far, 20 municipalities requested price quotes on solar heating systems.

The Saskatchewan Office of Energy Conservation (OEC) provided advice on the project. The OEC promotes energy conservation and efficiency.

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For More Information, Contact:

Terry White Office of Energy Conservation Regina Phone: (306) 787-9381 Cell: (306) 537-0902

Ghyslain Charron Natural Resources Canada Ottawa Phone: (613) 992-4447