During the first full year under the FIT rates, the province of Ontario installed 143MW solar PV in 2010. This makes Ontario the second-largest PV market in North America after California.
A quick glance at the PV Potential Map (https://glfc.cfsnet.nfis.org/mapserver/pv/index_e.php) published by the Canadian Federal government clearly shows the province of Ontario has what can only be considered an extremely low potential when compared with the province of Saskatchewan, which has a significantly higher potential for solar PV.
This begs the question - why is SaskPower paying such low rates under their Green Options Partners Program? SaskPower should be following Ontario's lead and paying reasonable prices for solar PV generation, which could revolutionize the energy sector in Saskatchewan, as happened in Ontario. Ontario is now a Canadian renewable energy powerhouse even though the wind and solar resources in Ontario are far below that in Saskatchewan.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Japan & Saskatchewan team up on clean coal and carbon capture
The province of Saskatchewan and Japan have executed an agreement to cooperate on clean coal and carbon capture and storage.
The province and the Japan Coal Energy Center — which represents more than 100 companies — have signed an MOU outlining cooperation on the technologies.
The MOU sets the stage for information exchanges and research projects involving scientists and companies in both jurisdictions which could lead to Japanese investment in Saskatchewan carbon capture and storage projects.
The province and the Japan Coal Energy Center — which represents more than 100 companies — have signed an MOU outlining cooperation on the technologies.
The MOU sets the stage for information exchanges and research projects involving scientists and companies in both jurisdictions which could lead to Japanese investment in Saskatchewan carbon capture and storage projects.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Ontario Green Energy Act under attack
Wind power opponents in the Canadian province of Ontario will soon learn if they have overcome procedural hurdles to arguing a divisional court should strike down a key provision of Ontario's very successful Green Energy Act.
The hearing on Monday Janury 24, 2011 was initally spent considering issues of jurisdiction with judges questioning counsel if the court was the right place to challenge whether human health might be harmed by wind turbines.
Counsel for Ontario's Attorney General argued any challenge must go to a tribunal set up by the provincial Environment Ministry.
However, a lawyer representing wind power opponent Ian Hanna said the tribunal can only hear appeals over specific wind projects - only the court could strike down the specific regulation itself, a move that might freeze all wind development in Ontario.
A reply from the court is expected later today with most opinion-makers under the impression that Mr. Hanna is wasting the court's time and will not be successful in what are seen to be absurb claims.
Wind power is the star in Ontario's renewable energy plan. The government wants to double its output this year and ramp it up to provide 10% of energy output over 20 years.
The hearing on Monday Janury 24, 2011 was initally spent considering issues of jurisdiction with judges questioning counsel if the court was the right place to challenge whether human health might be harmed by wind turbines.
Counsel for Ontario's Attorney General argued any challenge must go to a tribunal set up by the provincial Environment Ministry.
However, a lawyer representing wind power opponent Ian Hanna said the tribunal can only hear appeals over specific wind projects - only the court could strike down the specific regulation itself, a move that might freeze all wind development in Ontario.
A reply from the court is expected later today with most opinion-makers under the impression that Mr. Hanna is wasting the court's time and will not be successful in what are seen to be absurb claims.
Wind power is the star in Ontario's renewable energy plan. The government wants to double its output this year and ramp it up to provide 10% of energy output over 20 years.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Japan's Marubeni buys stake in Canada wind farm
Marubeni Corp has bought a 49 percent stake in a wind farm being built in the Canadian province of Ontario, the Japanese trading house said on Tuesday.
Marubeni bought the stake in the Raleigh Wind Energy Center, a 78-megawatt wind energy project located in southwestern Ontario, from Invenergy, a privately owned, Chicago-based company.
No price was given for the transaction.
Invenergy, which owns and develops renewable energy projects in North America and Europe, will retain the remaining 51 percent in the wind farm and manage it.
The project, which has a 20-year power purchase contract from the Ontario Power Authority, is expected to start commercial production next month.
"As part of its growth strategy, Marubeni is seeking to increase its investment in the North American power sector and will continue to pursue high quality investment opportunities in the United States and Canada," Marubeni said in a statement.
Marubeni bought the stake in the Raleigh Wind Energy Center, a 78-megawatt wind energy project located in southwestern Ontario, from Invenergy, a privately owned, Chicago-based company.
No price was given for the transaction.
Invenergy, which owns and develops renewable energy projects in North America and Europe, will retain the remaining 51 percent in the wind farm and manage it.
The project, which has a 20-year power purchase contract from the Ontario Power Authority, is expected to start commercial production next month.
"As part of its growth strategy, Marubeni is seeking to increase its investment in the North American power sector and will continue to pursue high quality investment opportunities in the United States and Canada," Marubeni said in a statement.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
SaskPower plans ice rink pilot wind project
SaskPower has launched a demonstration project to explore the economic and environmental benefits of self-generated power projects at municipal ice rinks. The utility plans to install wind turbines at two rinks to determine if they could help offset power bills. "There's a lot of interest in customer-generated power right now and this demonstration project will help us explore the many variables involved," says CEO Robert Watson.
See http://www.saskpower.com/news_publications/news_releases/?p=1117#more-1117 for additional information.
See http://www.saskpower.com/news_publications/news_releases/?p=1117#more-1117 for additional information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)