Major green energy project announced

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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North Bay Hydro Distribution Ltd’s Merrick Landfill Project in the riding of Nipissing is included in 184 contracts issued for large-scale renewable projects throughout the province, announced Nipissing MPP Monique Smith.

These new projects are part of the largest energy investment of its kind in Canadian history.

The 184 new contracts are for large green-energy projects that exceed 500 kilowatts under the Feed-In Tariff program. These are on top of a previous announcement of 510 mid-scale projects. In total, these 694 contracts have a potential generating capacity of more than 2,500 megawatts — enough electricity to power more than 600,000 homes.

The 184 new contracts being announced today will create more jobs in the growing green energy sector because projects have domestic content requirements. Located in communities across the province, these projects will create 20,000 direct and indirect green jobs. The total 694 Feed-In Tariff (FIT) contracts announced to date are expected to attract about $9 billion in private sector investment. 

“Ontario is committed to greening our electricity system, cleaning up our air and creating new ‘green collar’ jobs,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. ”We are pleased that the Merrick Landfill Project is moving forward and that our community will help create new supplies of clean electricity to power Ontario’s homes, schools, hospitals and businesses.”

The FIT program is one of the cornerstones of Ontario’s Green Energy Act. It encourages the development of renewable energy projects from a diverse range of producers, including homeowners, schools, farmers, large retailers, small businesses and large-scale commercial developers by offering long-term, stable prices for the electricity generated.

“Ontario has a vision for green energy — we will be a North American leader. We have practical, aggressive policies to secure green energy generation, research and manufacturing, which will create good jobs in a growing industry,” said Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario.

“These projects are the latest accomplishments of the Green Energy Act which is making Ontario a place of destination for green energy development, manufacturing, and expertise. The investments generated by FIT will not only create green jobs, but will also build a coal-free legacy for future generations,” said Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

QUICK FACTS

In 2009, carbon dioxide emissions from Ontario’s coal plants were more than 70 per cent below 2003 levels and output was the lowest in 45 years

Since 2003, about 1,300 MW of renewable electricity generation has come online in Ontario – enough to power more than 300,000 homes

Over the life of the FIT projects over 40 megatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2, the leading greenhouse gas) will be displaced compared to what would be emitted by equivalent gas-fired generation – equivalent to removing every single car off Ontario roads for one year.”

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