Building on its reputation as a national leader in renewable energy development, Prince Edward Island has set a new target to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, strengthen the economy and protect the environment.
Premier Pat Binns announced today that Prince Edward Island is committed to produce 30% of its total energy needs from local, renewable resources by 2016.
“Each year, some $440 million leaves Prince Edward Island, as fossil fuels are imported to heat and power our homes and fuel our vehicles. This target is about keeping more of those dollars in PEI to strengthen our economy. And it is about creating new opportunities for Island farmers and a healthier environment today and for future generations,” he added.
Premier Binns said the Province will reach the 30x16 target in stages, with the first step to produce 10% of total energy needs from local renewable resources by 2010. To do that, the Premier said Prince Edward Island will build on the success of the Renewable Energy Strategy launched in 2004. Almost all of the 19 action items in the strategy have been achieved. The Renewable Energy Act requires electrical utilities to acquire 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010; and regulations under the act allow for net metering for small-scale generators, set a minimum price utilities must pay for power produced by large-scale generators; and establish designated development areas for large scale wind projects.
Among some of the other highlights:
• the PEI Wind Atlas was created to identify areas that have the best potential for future wind energy development;
• the City of Charlottetown has implemented a public transit system; and
• the Province has introduced a provincial sales tax exemption for small scale renewable energy equipment.
Premier Binns said it’s time to raise the bar and strengthen Prince Edward Island’s position as the greenest province in Canada. The way to do that, he said, is to set new targets.
“We have demonstrated with the 15% renewable portfolio standard for electricity, that if we set a target, we will reach a target. In fact, both Maritime Electric and the Summerside Electric Utility will reach or exceed that target three years ahead of schedule. Now, we have to look beyond electricity, to our total energy needs,” the Premier said.
Transportation fuels account for almost 40% of PEI’s total energy needs, so renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel will be key to reaching the 30x16 target, said Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem. The Government of Canada’s commitment to a renewable fuels standard – whereby gasoline and other liquid fuels would contain 5% renewable fuels by 2010 – will stimulate development of a biofuels industry and create new opportunities for Island farmers, he said.
“The agricultural industry will be diversified as farmers grow new crops for the energy sector. But more importantly, the biofuels industry provides the opportunity for farmers to gain a measure of control over their future by not only supplying raw product, but having an ownership stake in biofuels processing facilities,” added Premier Binns.
Minister Ballem said biofuels could also replace a portion of fossil fuels used for heating homes and other buildings – the other key component of the province’s total energy needs. The minister added there is also room to expand the use of biomass for space heating. Wood, in its various forms, and the energy-from-waste plant and district heating system in Charlottetown currently account for about 6.5% of PEI’s thermal energy needs.
Turning to electricity, Minister Ballem said wind will play an important role in the energy mix, with the first step being the completion of the Eastern Kings Wind Farm later this year. However, there is also potential for biofuels, biomass and biogas to meet some of the electricity needs, he said. The other important piece of the puzzle, as PEI looks to maximize economic benefits and minimize environmental impacts of all forms of energy, is energy efficiency, Minister Ballem added. An effective energy efficiency program also defers the need to keep coming up with new, more expensive energy generation sources.
“It is a variety of renewable energy sources and a combination of projects that will create a strong and vibrant energy sector in the province and maximize benefits for Prince Edward Island,” the Minister said. “The Renewable Energy Strategy has drawn international attention to PEI and established a climate that encourages investment in renewable energy projects in the province. In setting the new target of 30x16, we are reinforcing the message that Prince Edward Island is committed to being the leader in developing, demonstrating and implementing renewable energy technologies.”
For more information on renewable energy in Prince Edward Island, visit the website at www.gov.pe.ca/go/renewables