Power play
Significant green energy announcement expected in Summerside today
Summerside is set to make a significant green energy project announcement.
Media and delegates have been invited to Credit Union Place (CUP) at 1 p.m. Tuesday, for the press conference.
Invitees include Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna; Ambassador Shin Maeng-ho, the Republic of Korea’s representative to Canada; and Edward Cho, president of Samsung Renewable Energy (SRE).
City officials have not shared the specifics of the announcement, but the fact that SRE is involved suggests it could be related to the implementation of Phase 2 of the city’s partnership with that company.
Summerside signed a memorandum of understanding with SRE in 2017 for the development of an experimental and expansive multi-part green energy project.
Phase 1 of the project consisted of the instillation of a shipping container-sized battery that was integrated into CUP’s electric system. The battery, which has been online for more than a year, is fed power from 1,404 solar panels constructed next to the west-end sports facility. The battery stores excess energy and pumps it into the building during peak use hours to offset CUP’s significant power bills. Phase 1 cost $3 million and was funded jointly by the city and the federal government.
“Today is another major step forward in our growing energy sector,” former Mayor Bill Martin said at that time. “This project has furthered our commitment to a greener community and has taken us a step closer to energy independence.”
Martin indicated that Phase 2 of the partnership would include the construction of a new solar/wind farm. This facility would bump the percentage of electricity Summerside gets from renewable sources from about 46 per cent to upwards of 70 per cent.
Phase 3 would include investment in more electric pilot projects, such as infrastructure for electric vehicles and a smart grid system.
There was no timeline given in 2017 as to when Phase 2 or 3 would be implemented.
Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey released a statement Monday in anticipation of Tuesday’s announcement.
“The federal Liberal government is committed to supporting communities that understand the need to effectively respond to the challenges of the climate crisis,” said Morrissey.
“Today’s historic announcement will place Summerside on the path of becoming one of Canada’s leading cities in the mission to build stronger, cleaner and environmentally sustainable communities.”