COWESSESS POWERS AHEAD
Solar array opens on First Nation
Cowessess First Nation opened its solar power project on Wednesday.
The Cowessess Renewable Energy Storage Facility now has solar panels to go along with its existing wind turbine battery — making it possibly the first wind-solar battery storage project in Canada.
Located a few kilometres east of Regina, the facility generates 340 kilowatts (0.34 megawatts) of solar power, as well as 57 kilowatts (0.057 megawatts) to be used by the facility itself.
“Part of our First Nations values of making sure that this land is prepared and ready for our children and our children yet unborn, as well it’s an economic self-sustainability project, meaning that we are going to gain a little profit as we’re following our values,” said Chief Cadmus Delorme.
All of the power produced by the facility is being purchased by Saskpower.
Delorme said the facility also creates opportunity for members of the First Nation, because engineers and scientists are needed to operate it.
“It’s good to show Saskatchewan that First Nations want to play that lead role as well, and that we have a lot of (a knowledge base) that we learned and built on these two projects, that we’re open and willing to share with other businesses, First Nations, to let them know when a door closes, just look for the next door that’s open,” he said.
He also made clear Cowessess is not stopping here when it comes to producing and storing renewable energy.
"We want more ... we’re looking for those 10 and 20 megawatts and we will continue searching until we can find that opportunity.”
Doug Opseth, Saskpower’s director of generation asset management, is also hopeful that turns out to be the case. The Crown corporation is aiming to have 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
Opseth said projects like this, and a willingness of First Nations like Cowessess to continue expanding, “gives us a lot of hope that we can meet our emissions targets.”
Regina-wascana MP and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale noted the facility will sell a “relatively small” amount of power to the Saskpower grid, but called the project “groundbreaking.”
“It’s the beginning of something very important and its really wonderful to see going forward,” he said. “It really makes it tangible, that you can link sound environmental policy with sound economic policy and growth, and bring all of those together at the same time.”
Goodale also spoke about how the project “opens the door” to other communities wanting to create a similar project.