P.E.I. looks to double wind energy exports
Last Updated: Monday, October 26, 2009 | 2:30 PM AT
CBC News
Maritime Electric, the provincial utility on P.E.I., is seeking to double the amount of wind energy exported from the province.
The utility announced Monday it will be seeking another 130 megawatts of wind development on the Island, most of that for export. Only 30 megawatts will be used on P.E.I.
The provincial government is supporting the call and said there are a number of developers who have already expressed interest in establishing projects. Energy Minister Richard Brown told CBC News that the only projects to be entertained are ones that benefit Islanders first.
"The wind developers will have to go to the communities and ask them for their support. If it means, you know, contributing to the community in some aspects then that's part of the deal," said Brown.
The projects will be reviewed by an independent auditor before they are approved.
"We'll be looking for letters of support from the different communities here that these developers want to go into, and hopefully the fairness auditor will review those and make a recommendation to both Maritime Electric and the province," said Brown.
If all the proposed export energy is developed Brown said Islanders will receive $1.5 million in royalty payments each year.
Successful proposals will be announced in March 2010, and the projects should be up and running by fall 2012.
