Lethbridge, AB — Representatives of the Pembina Institute will make a presentation at the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board pre-hearing meeting today, which is being held to determine the scope of a hearing into the proposed development and enhancement of the Southwest Alberta Transmission System. The project application, made by the Alberta Electric System Operator, seeks approval for additions and upgrades to the electricity transmission system to enable the development of approximately 600 megawatts of new wind-generated electricity.
"The existing transmission system in southwestern Alberta is limiting the capacity to transmit wind-generated electricity," said Jesse Row, an analyst with the Eco-Solutions Group of the Pembina Institute. "Generation at Alberta's Cowley Wind Farm is already being restricted, and, without new additions to the transmission system, new wind power development will be unable to proceed."
The pre-hearing is being held in response to interventions by those opposed to the proposed transmission expansion, including EnCana Corporation and BP Canada Energy — two large companies with an interest in expanding power transmission from the Fort McMurray Oilsand region. These companies are challenging the reliability of wind-generated power and question whether proposed facilities will actually proceed in the region. "Wind energy has been meeting the needs of customers by supplying power to the Alberta grid since 1993," counters Row.
The Government of Alberta has stated that, by 2008, it expects renewable and alternative energy in the province to have grown by 3.5 percent, and envisions Alberta becoming a renewable energy centre in North America.
"In developing its Action Plan on Climate Change the province is relying on the growth of renewable, emission-free energy sources such as wind power," said Dan Woynillowicz, a policy analyst with the Energy Watch program of the Pembina Institute. "Failure to ensure adequate transmission from the region with the greatest wind power potential will severely hamper the province's ability to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and will limit economic growth and diversification opportunities in southwestern Alberta."
For more information:
Jesse Row (403) 269-3344 ext. 110
Dan Woynillowicz (403) 269-3344 ext. 107