Environmental Issues in Northern Ontario
GREEN - Greater Renewable Energy and Ecodesigns Now
It�s time to get serious about alternative energy sources
Three recent developments outline a looming crisis for Ontario�s electricity supply, but also spell an exciting opportunity for Sudbury. The release of the annual 10-year electricity forecast by the Independent Market Operator, arising from the former Ontario Hydro, is frightening reading.
�The uncertainity surrounding the return to service of Ontario Power Generation�s Pickering A nuclear units, the lack of new generating investment in Ontario, and the shutdown of the coal fired generating stations by December 2007 all contribute to a potential electricity shortfall,� said IMO president Dave Goulding.
By 2014, up to 11,600 megawatts�the equivalent of two nuclear plants�will need to be met with new supply, retooled power plants or conservation measures.
Otherwise, your lights could go out and businesses will be forced to shut down. However, this crisis could give energy alternatives, like wind power for example, a boost.
Last week�s federal budget and the release of the Manley Report to the Ontario government, may help green energy projects. The Liberals in Ottawa initiated a new $billion green energy investment fund to kick start renewable energy such as wind, biodiesel and solar technologies.
This initiative is funded from the federal government�s sale of shares of Petro Canada, a major oil company. The government commits $200 million to
Sustainable Development Technology Canada, a Winnipeg-based environmental foundation, and a further $800 million over seven years to support emerging environmental technologies.
Sudbury MP Diane Marleau say this new money could support Sudbury�s green power plans.
�While the details on this funding announcement have yet to be finalized, it would certainly provide a financial base for green power, and I�m positive it will help us here,� said Marleau.
The third event is the release of the Manley Report earlier this month.
�Ontario�s electricity supply is increasingly fragile,� said the Manley Report, in a series of recommendations concerning Ontario�s energy future.
�We believe a supply for Ontario should include: growth in green renewable power and other solutions that use innovative technologies,� said the report.
Energy conservation is also stressed. �Conservation represents the cleanest means of filling Ontario�s supply gap,� said the report.
Paul Graham, plants engineer for the City of Greater Sudbury, agrees.
�If these trends in energy continue with a tightening supply, then this will be positive in supporting community efforts in getting alternative energy off the ground here.�
The City of Greater Sudbury and Northland Power have submitted a letter of interest for wind energy support to Natural Resources Canada.
In July 2002, they jointly issued a request for the federal government�s Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI) for a 50 MW wind farm for MacLean Mountain on Manitoulin Island. Located near Little Current, the project could be underway this year.
According to Graham, Sudbury is very close to moving ahead with a number of renewable energy projects, the first being the biodiesel manufacturing plant.
�It�s so very near to being announced,� he said.
He expects that when both provincial and federal government move aggressively on renewable energy, asking for requests from potential producers like the Sudbury group, an impending energy crisis could very well be an energy opportunity for those in there first. At least our lights will stay lit!
Article first published in the Northern Life, reprinted with permission.
