An EDF Energies Nouvelles Company today announced that construction has commenced on three solar photovoltaic projects totalling 36 MW(dc).
The Elmsley Solar Project, located near Lombardy in the Township of Rideau Lakes, comprises two 12 MW(dc) sites utilizing Suntech panels. The 12 MW(dc) St. Isidore Project is located near the town of St. Isidore in the Municipality of the Nation and will consist of First Solar panels. All three sites are being developed under the Government of Ontario’s Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP), which encourages renewable energy production to help replace coal-fired generation.
Together these projects will generate clean electricity for nearly 10,500 homes and employ approximately 350 people during the design, engineering and construction process. The projects will deliver local electricity service via connections to the Hydro One distribution grid, expected by the end of 2010.
Jon Kieran, Director of Solar Development for EDF EN Canada, said, "We are pleased to launch the construction phase of these valuable projects. Once again, EDF EN Canada is applying its resources and expertise to help Ontario achieve renewable energy goals. These projects follow on the success of the Arnprior Solar Project in Ottawa, which went into service in 2009. When all five RESOP sites are completed we will have contributed about 60 MW(dc) of solar energy to the distribution grid. We look forward to a successful partnership with White Construction Canada Corp, our general contractor, to bring these projects to completion."
