April 18, 2001
harnessing wind for power in Canada - a $20 million wind power
project - is slated to be built in Saskatchewan. Pending
regulatory approval, a partnership between Enbridge Inc. and
Suncor Energy Inc., both of Calgary, Alberta, will generate the
province's first major supply of renewable energy through a wind
power project to be built in southwest Saskatchewan. The project
will increase Canada's generation of power from wind by
approximately 10 per cent and has the potential to expand further
as additional market demand develops.
The Saskatchewan government and SaskPower, together with Enbridge
and Suncor, today announced plans for the SunBridge Wind Power
Project. Located just southeast of Gull Lake, SunBridge's 17 wind
turbines will generate more than 11 megawatts of electricity for
distribution through the Saskatchewan power grid. The
dependability and speed of the wind in the Gull Lake area,
combined with proximity to existing power lines, were key factors
in the selection of the location.
Suncor and Enbridge have formed a partnership (50:50) to develop
this wind power project, and Enbridge Pipelines will be the
operator of the facility. 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.
Construction is scheduled to start this May, subject to public
consultation and environmental regulatory approvals. Public
consultation has already started, and will continue throughout the
project, which is expected to be fully operational by June 2002.
According to company representatives, the SunBridge project will
create economic, environmental and social benefits that will
demonstrate the value of harnessing wind power as an important
part of Saskatchewan's and Canada's energy future.
The wind turbine project will produce about 40 GW.h per year,
enough electricity to use in 6,000 homes. The 17 wind turbines
will be spread over four sections of land taking advantage of the
best wind regimes.
Suncor President and CEO Rick George 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
empower consumers to choose renewable energy to meet part of their
energy supply needs."
Enbridge President & CEO Patrick D. Daniel said, "Over the past
two years, Enbridge has been pursuing a strategy of increased
involvement in the development of emerging and renewable energy
technologies. In July 2000, we announced a strategic alliance and
$25 million investment to develop fuel cells for residential use.
This second investment in energy technologies fits with that
strategy, as well as with our strategy of working to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and address the issue of global climate
change. We expect SunBridge to be profitable in its first full
year of operations, and we are interested in the potential this
project has for expansion, in particular, to potentially provide
power for our pipeline operations in Saskatchewan."
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 through its interests in the
Alliance and Vector Pipelines. Enbridge owns and operates
Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, which provides
gas in Ontario, Quebec and New York State to approximately 1.5
million customers. Enbridge also is developing a natural gas
distribution system for the province of New Brunswick, invests in
international energy projects, distributes electricity, and is
involved in emerging energy technologies. In addition, Enbridge
provides retail energy products and services to a growing number
of Canadian and U.S. markets. Additional information about
Enbridge is available on the company's web site at
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.