New Brunswick utilities get serious about renewable energy

Edmundston, N.B. – - Edmundston, N.B. – Edmundston Energy and NB Power announced today that they have entered into an agreement which allows for the expansion of Edmundston Energy's customer boundary.

The agreement also includes a 20-year power purchase agreement where NB Power purchases 100 per cent of Edmundston EnergyÂ’s generation output from both the Madawaska and Green River hydro generation systems. In addition, the agreement includes a power supply agreement where NB Power supplies 100 per cent of Edmundston EnergyÂ’s needs for the next 20 years.

"This is an historic day for Energy Edmundston and for Edmundston residents. We have always believed that Edmundston Energy should be made available to all residents of Edmundston, and finally, after years of negotiation, an agreement has been reached which benefits both NB Power and Edmundston Energy, " stated Jacques P. Martin, Mayor of Edmundston.

"Customers will continue to receive safe and reliable service, with the benefit of having electricity generated from renewable sources," said Charles Martin, Director of Edmundston Energy. "We will be working with our new and existing customers, as well as our partners at NB Power, to ensure a smooth transition, particularly with respect to bill arrangements and water heater service."

Edmundston Energy will be acquiring its new customers in July 2012. As part of the agreement, NB Power will provide water heater services to all customers in the Edmundston area. Information meetings for new Edmundston Energy customers will be held over the coming weeks.

"I am pleased that we have reached an agreement which allows us to continue our partnership with Edmundston Energy for years to come," said Gaëtan Thomas, NB Power President and CEO. "This partnership plays an important role in further diversifying our generation mix to include more renewable energy. It also assists us in achieving our renewable targets, contributes to lower emissions and supports our vision of sustainability – meeting the needs of today while ensuring tomorrow. I have full confidence that our partners at Edmundston Energy will continue to provide customers with excellent customer service and we look forward to working with them through our water heater program."