NB 518
April 26, 2007
BATHURST (CNB) - The provincial government will ask NB Power to move immediately with the addition of an extra 300 megawatts of wind power in New Brunswick. This is an acceleration of the original objective of adding the wind power over a period of 10 years. Electricity generation from wind is extremely important for New Brunswick, as it is a clean, sustainable and indigenous source of energy.
Energy Minister Jack Keir has asked the utility's board of directors to review the plan, and to move as quickly as possible in issuing the request for proposals (RFP) for the 300 megawatts of wind power.
"The recent filing for electricity rate increases is a sober reminder of how vulnerable we are to global oil prices. By adding clean energy from wind to the mix, we will be able to offer greater stability for rates in the future, because we become less dependent on the uncontrollable price of foreign oil and coal," Keir said. "Wind generation is also immune to the potential greenhouse gas regulatory costs that others forms of generation may face. Having a diversified mix of generation in our province that includes more renewable energy is a win for the environment and a win for consumers."
Today's announcement fulfills another commitment in the Charter for Change, which specified that the new government would increase generation capacity from renewable resources to 10 per cent by 2016.
The original plan was in response to the Electricity from Renewable Resources regulation, which requires NB Power to purchase 10 per cent of it sales from new renewable sources by 2016. In response, NB Power planned on adding 400 megawatts of wind over the next 10 years to contribute to the achievement of the 10 per cent target.
Recently, Keir joined private companies in announcing a 75-megawatt project in Albert county and a 25-megawatt project in the Dorchester area, leaving 300 megawatts.
The plan is to have wind plants in different regions, thereby having a more steady supply of wind-based electricity, because if it isn't windy in one area of New Brunswick, there's a strong possibility that it might be in another. Spreading the wind generation around the province will lower the overall cost and allow us to add more wind on the system.
Keir said that the new RFP, unlike the first ones, will have a certain amount of New Brunswick content criteria, which will assure that future projects will have even greater benefits for companies in the province and the New Brunswickers who work for them.
Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne said he was very proud of the New Brunswick-content aspect of the RFP .
"It is very important as we grow this sector, which is new to New Brunswick, that we maximize the benefits to our business sector and the jobs that these projects can bring with them in manufacturing, site preparations, and the jobs of maintaining operations when the plants are producing electricity," Byrne said. "I am very pleased that we have a new focus through the RFP, to better engage our home-grown talent and reap the benefits of these important projects."
Environment Minister Roland Haché said the project would also go a long way toward helping the province meet future environmental standards.
"This is wonderful news, not only for the energy sector, but it is also a great way to combat climate change for the generations of New Brunswickers who will follow in our footsteps," Haché said. "We are very pleased that the wind power projects will be accelerated, and we applaud the addition of this clean, renewable energy to our generation mix."
An example of how wind power can be beneficial to the environment: a 100 megawatt wind farm will prevent 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide gasses (CO2) from being emitted into the air each year.
07/04/26
MEDIA CONTACTS: Marc Belliveau, energy, 506-444-5912; Sarah Ketcheson, Business New Brunswick, 506-444-4983; Marie-Josée Groulx, Enviornment, 506-457-7202.
07/04/26
