Solar Schools
Opposition asks if solar to be part of school review
Opposition MLAs continued to press Energy Minister Paula Biggar in the legislature on Tuesday about the Island’s plans for solar development. Kensington-Malpeque MLA Matthew MacKay began by asking Biggar if a planned school infrastructure review would consider the installation of solar panels on schools. The province announced a $500,000 infrastructure review of Island schools in November. MacKay suggested solar infrastructure would help schools reduce electricity costs. Biggar then spoke about Eliot River Elementary School, which has installed solar panels on its roof. Biggar said students and staff had fundraised for the project themselves.
“It’s always a consideration of the most efficient type of heating we can put,” Biggar said.
“We want to ensure that the heat that is being provided is consistent to the school and their requirements on a daily basis.” The minister had also faced question about the province’s long-term plans for solar infrastructure on Friday. During question period that day, Rustico-Emerald MLA Brad Trivers questioned Biggar about whether the province had a plan for providing long-term incentives to Islanders and businesses. Trivers’ questioned the minister following the release of a report by the National Energy Board, which found P.E.I. to be in an advantageous position for solar development due to comparatively high electricity prices. MacKay also asked Biggar whether there were plans in place for solar development at the Fabric Yard located in Borden-Carleton.
The yard was used in the construction of the Confederation Bridge in the 1990s but was purchased by the province in 2009. “The former SEI fabrication yard in Borden-Carleton continues to sit idle in government’s hands,” MacKay said. “What work has government done to look at this potential for a solar farm to be developed on this site.”
Biggar said she has met with several companies interested in producing renewable energy.
“We will certainly continue to work with companies that come into Prince Edward Island to increase opportunities for manufacturing and opportunities for energy,” Biggar said.
Chris Palmer, the minister of economic development and tourism, later confirmed the province is currently in negotiations with a local metal company in relation to the fabrication yard. The company would be manufacturing components for the expansion of the Charlottetown cruise ship wharf. Palmer also said he had spoken to the incoming mayor of Borden-Carleton, Charles MacKenzie, on Monday. He said MacKenzie had not identified finding a company for the yard as a top priority. “They have a committee that is working together through a tourism perspective to really try to augment the community, so they can get more visitor stop-in,” Palmer said.