Saskatchewan's First Large-Scale Wind Power Project

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REGINA, SASK -- Saskatchewan's first major supply of green power is shaping up to come from a $20 million wind power project proposed for construction five kilometres southeast of Gull Lake. Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources Canada and Saskatchewan Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag, has announced that Enbridge Inc and Suncor Energy Inc, would develop the SunBridge Wind Power Project. The ability to pursue the project was, in part, due to the Government of Canada's Budget 2000 commitment to purchase electricity from emerging renewable sources in Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island. For Saskatchewan, this purchase will total $12.4 million over 10 years. Suncor and Enbridge submitted the winning bid to construct and operate the wind power facility and SaskPower will purchase the electricity. The power will be used for federal government buildings in Saskatchewan and other customers starting in 2002. Construction of the SunBridge Wind Power Project, which is subject to public consultation and environmental regulatory approvals, is scheduled to start this May. It is expected to be fully commissioned by June 2002. "This initiative will help develop markets for renewable energy like wind power in Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada," said Minister Goodale. "Our investment in renewable electricity will help us meet a significant proportion of our energy requirements in a way that is environmentally friendly and consistent with our national action plan on climate change. We are pleased that our contribution is a driving force for the construction of the Gull Lake wind power facility." "Through SaskPower, the Government of Saskatchewan is committed to investing in wind power technology as a safe, renewable energy source," Minister Sonntag said. "The SunBridge Wind Power Project is a major first step towards developing a viable and cost-effective green power industry in Saskatchewan. Green power will help meet the province's growing energy needs in an environmentally sustainable manner that does not contribute to climate change. We look forward to additional wind power development that will see the provincial government and other customers meet a portion of our needs with wind-generated electricity." Commenting on the significance of the SunBridge Wind Power Project, SaskPower president and CEO John Wright noted "the federal supply contract represents the single largest purchase of green power the Government of Canada has ever made. As such, it is an important part of our business plan and a reflection of our commitment to further develop green power sources as we balance our customers' needs for secure and cost-effective supply with a shared concern for the environment." Rick George, president and CEO of Suncor, said SunBridge is part of his company's overall plan to invest $100 million in alternative and renewable energy projects by 2005. "This is a major step toward building an alternative and renewable energy business that will help to diversify Canada's sources of energy for the future and give consumers the option to choose renewable energy to meet their energy needs." Enbridge president and CEO Patrick D. Daniel said, "Enbridge Pipelines Inc. has had a presence in Saskatchewan for over 50 years, and is one of SaskPower's largest customers, operating over 3300 kilometers of pipeline through the province. We believe participation in this project will enhance our relationship with the government and people of Saskatchewan. This project also fits in with Enbridge's strategies of investing in emerging energy technologies, and of working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, addressing the issue of global climate change." When operational, SunBridge's 17 turbines will have a capacity of just over 11 megawatts of electricity for distribution through the Saskatchewan power grid. High wind speeds in the Gull Lake area, combined with proximity to existing power lines, were key factors in the selection of the location for Saskatchewan's first large-scale wind power project.