August 20, 2001
Project is now generating renewable energy to the SaskPower grid
from three test wind turbines in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan.
SunBridge is a $20 million partnership (50:50) between Suncor
Energy Inc. and Enbridge Inc. to develop this wind power project.
Enbridge Pipelines will be the operator of the facility, and
SaskPower will purchase the electricity produced at the facility
to provide power for federal government buildings in Saskatchewan
and other customers. The initiative was stimulated by a 10-year
$12.4 million federal government commitment last fall to support
green power development in Saskatchewan.
"Green power is flowing and everything is going according to
plan," said SunBridge Project Manager Gary Prine. "We're running
the first three test turbines for about three weeks, and then
we'll switch over to the next three units." Each turbine is
generating about 660 kilowatts at full production, said Mr. Prine.
"We hope to have most of the turbines completed and running before
winter settles in, " said Mr. Prine, "but the full commissioning
and power generation is still scheduled for June 2002." When
completed, SunBridge's 17 wind turbines will generate more than 11
megawatts of electricity for distribution through the Saskatchewan
power grid.
While six of the project's 17 turbines are constructed and
commissioned, only three units are currently generating power.
The other three turbines are on standby for testing using a
temporary power grid connection.
"Given the growth of electricity demand in North America, and the
growing focus on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, this
project is especially timely," said Pat Daniel, president & CEO of
Enbridge. "For Enbridge, this project fits in with our commitment
to invest in emerging energy technologies that work to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and address the issue of global climate
change."
"Turning wind power into green power for Saskatchewan is a great
move toward building Suncor's alternate and renewable energy
business in Canada," said Rick George, president & CEO of Suncor.
"SunBridge is part of our parallel path strategy to support the
diversification of energy sources over the long term." Mr. George
noted that SunBridge is part of Suncor's commitment to invest $100
million in alternative and renewable energy sources by 2005.
Enbridge Inc. has had a presence in Saskatchewan for over 50
years, and is one of SaskPower's largest customers; operating over
3300 kilometres of pipeline through the province. Enbridge is a
leader in energy transportation, distribution and services, in
North America and internationally. The Calgary-based company
operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil
and liquids pipeline system, and has a growing involvement in the
natural gas transmission business and is involved in emerging
alternative and renewable energy technologies such as fuel cells
and wind power. Additional information about Enbridge is
available on the company's web site at www.enbridge.com.
Suncor Energy Inc. is an integrated Canadian energy company with
headquarters in Calgary, Alberta. The company is a leader in
mining and extracting crude oil from the oil sands deposits of
Northern Alberta. Suncor also has a conventional natural gas
producer in Western Canada and operates a refining and marketing
business in Ontario under the Sunoco brand. At the same time as
Suncor meets today's energy needs by developing hydrocarbon based
resources, the company invests in alternative and renewable
energy, such as wind power. This business is managed under the
name Suncor Energy Alternative and Renewable Developments, a
division of Suncor's subsidiary, Sunoco Inc.