Marlo Raynolds, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the announcement that the Government of Ontario has awarded a contract to a consortium led by Samsung to build 2,500 megawatts of solar and wind power in the province.
"Samsung's investment in renewable energy production in Ontario and promise to support local manufacturing demonstrates how the province's commitment to clean energy can attract clean energy companies and create new job opportunities.
"Looking ahead, Ontario needs to ensure it fosters a diversified portfolio of renewable energy solutions, as there is no shortage of resource potential and interested investors, both small and large. The best way to do this is to ensure adequate transmission capacity and equitable access to the power grid.
"This successful example should encourage all provinces to capitalize on the potential for scaled-up renewable energy production, and ensure Canada participates in the rapidly growing clean energy sector.
"It should also signal to the Government of Canada that it must re-engage and enhance its role in enabling the entire country to capitalize on the significant potential we have to expand low-impact renewable energy, create new jobs and compete in the clean energy economy."
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The Pembina Institute is a non-partisan sustainable energy think tank.
For more information, contact:
Marlo Raynolds
Executive Director
The Pembina Institute
Cell: 403-607-9427
Background:
In January 2010 the Government of Canada's support for new renewable energy projects will come to an end as the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program will have allocated all of its funds. There has been no signal from the government that it intends to renew or strengthen its previous commitments to renewable power [1]. In contrast, the United States has created a very attractive investment market by outspending Canada on renewable energy by 14:1, on a per capita basis in 2009. [2]
[1] www.pembina.org/media-release/1944
[2] canada-v-us-investment-in-re-ee-backgrounder.pdf