Released on June 27, 2002
Federal and provincial government representatives joined with industry
officials and Gull Lake area residents at the official opening of
SunBridge, Saskatchewan's first major wind power project.
The $22 million project was developed through a 50/50 partnership between
Enbridge Inc. and Suncor Energy Inc. SaskPower is purchasing the wind-
generated electricity for sale to the Government of Canada and other
customers in Saskatchewan. The SunBridge Wind Power Project was stimulated
by a 10-year, $12.4 million federal government commitment to support green
power development in Saskatchewan. Funding for this project is built into
the existing Government of Canada fiscal framework.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support this significant project,"
Public Works and Government Services Minister Ralph Goodale said, on behalf
of Natural Resources Canada Minister Herb Dhaliwal and Environment Canada
Minister David Anderson. "Together we are developing a green power
industry in Saskatchewan that is viable and cost-effective. This type of
power can help us meet our energy needs without increasing our greenhouse
gas emissions."
"The official opening of the SunBridge Wind Power Project puts Saskatchewan
on the national stage as a leader in the development of alternative energy
sources," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag
said. "SunBridge now stands as an excellent example of how public and
private industry, supported by the commitment from the federal government,
are building new relationships and developing strong partnerships that
benefit the province's environment and economy."
"Bringing lower environmental impact energy to consumers is a reflection of
Suncor's willingness to take unconventional approaches to the energy
industry," Suncor Energy Inc. Executive Vice-President of Natural Gas and
Renewable Energy Dave Byler said. "We're proud of our record of pursuing
new ideas and businesses and with SunBridge, we begin a new chapter of
energy innovation. SunBridge is the first major step in Suncor's plan to
invest at least $100 million in renewable energy by 2005."
"The SunBridge Project fits with Enbridge's strategy to be a leader in the
pursuit of renewable energy options that meet customer demand and have
minimal impact on the environment," Enbridge Inc. President & CEO Pat
Daniel said. "SunBridge diversifies Enbridge into a business that
complements our core energy distribution and transportation platforms – and
as operator of SunBridge, we also gain valuable first hand knowledge in
this form of electricity generation."
"SaskPower's customers have told us they want the option to purchase power
that is reliable, reasonably priced and that will reduce greenhouse gas
emissions," SaskPower President and CEO John Wright said. "Our involvement
in the SunBridge Wind Power Project and work with world-class industry
partners reflects SaskPower's commitment to further develop green power
sources and address climate change issues."
Suncor and Enbridge formed SunBridge in 2001 to jointly develop the wind
power project. SunBridge is projected to provide nearly six percent of
Canada's total installed wind capacity and will reduce about 32,000 tonnes
of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Wind power is expected to be an
important part of Saskatchewan's and Canada's energy future, providing
economic, environmental and social returns.
All 17 wind turbines have been in service at the 11-megawatt site since
February, providing enough wind generated electricity to meet the needs of
about 5,000 homes. Gull Lake is located about 300 kilometres west of
Regina, and 55 kilometres west of Swift Current, on the Trans-Canada
Highway. The wind powered facility is located five kilometres southeast of
Gull Lake.
Enbridge Inc. is a leader in energy transportation and distribution in
North America and internationally. Enbridge owns and operates the world's
longest crude oil and liquids pipeline system, Canada's largest natural gas
distribution company, invests in international energy projects, and is
involved in emerging energy technologies such as fuel cells and wind
power. Enbridge common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange in
Canada and on the New York Stock Exchange in the U.S., under the symbol
ENB.
Suncor Energy is an integrated Canadian energy company. Suncor's Oil Sands
business mines and upgrades oil sand into custom-blended refinery feedstock
and diesel fuel, near Fort McMurray in Northern Alberta. Suncor is also a
conventional natural gas producer in Western Canada and operates a refining
and marketing business in Ontario. At the same time as Suncor meets
today's energy needs, the company invests in alternative and renewable
energy for the future. Suncor's common shares and preferred securities are
listed for trading on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
SaskPower is the principal supplier of electricity in Saskatchewan. As a
Crown corporation, SaskPower maintains more than 150,000 kilometres of
power lines, operates a network of coal, hydro and natural gas generating
facilities, and is actively undertaking various alternative, cogeneration
and clean coal energy initiatives. SaskPower is registered corporate-wide
to the ISO 140001 standard for environmental management.
-30-
For more information, contact:
ENBRIDGE INC. SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
Leah Purdy Jenniffer Berger-Gee
Phone: (403) 231-5763 Phone: (403) 269-8740
leah.purdy@corp.enbridge.com jbergergee@suncor.com
SASKPOWER NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA
Larry Christie Heather Bala
Phone: (306) 566-3167 (Regina) Director of Communications
(888) 536-0000 (toll-free) Phone: (613) 996-7252
lchristie@saskpower.com hbala@nrcan.gc.ca
