NOTE:          The following joint news release was issued in Ottawa on April 19, 2007 following the first
formal meeting for a cross-country Green Power Corridor.

Natural Resources
April 19, 2007 

Multi-billion dollar green grid could enable
vast new supplies of clean energy to come on line

Provincial ministers, Aboriginal leaders, environmental organizations and electricity infrastructure and financing executives met in Ottawa today at the Government Conference Centre (located at the old national railway headquarters) to present initial framework principles for a cross-Canada Green Power Corridor (transmission grid).

The following statement was issued:
"We agree that the supply of Canada's clean energy future lies beyond our current grid structure, and are committed to realizing the potential of a Green Power Corridor that battles climate change by enabling vast new supplies of clean, secure energy to come on line, enhances economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and other local communities, and helps to protect ecological integrity by establishing valid conservation first principles."

Quotes from Ministers

The Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Energy, Chair of Cabinet, Ontario
"The green power corridor is the railway of the 21st century. Building an inter-provincial green power corridor is as important to Canada today as was the building of the railway in the 19th century by the founders of our country."

The Honourable Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba
"We are proud to work with our federal and provincial partners that share Manitoba's vision to be a leader in clean energy initiatives such as building our hydroelectric resources, establishing wind generated power sources and developing a framework for a national transmission grid."

The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, Newfoundland and Labrador
"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador fully supports the concept of an east-west grid given the abundance of clean energy resources we have to offer the rest of the country. We are pleased to participate in this discussion and to bring our province's perspective to the table. I would hope that after this discussion, we can all stand together in calling for a national green power corridor."

Based on stakeholder input from this meeting and broader consultations, Corporate Knights will draft a report to be released in two months time. The report will provide the basis for a follow-up meeting on November 29, 2007.

To download a transcript of the press conference, please go to: www.corporateknights.ca/ after 16:00 EST.

Cross-Country Green Power Corridor MW Potential:

Canada's viable green power that could be accessed through enhanced grid structure: 163,173 MW Hydro Power, 175,000 MW Wind Power

Provinces / Territories           Hydropower Potential (MW)
                                              Technical                           

Alberta....................................11,775
British Columbia ......................33,137
Manitoba .................................8,785
New Brunswick.........................613.8
Newfoundland and Labrador..........8,540
Northwest Territories.................11,524
Nova Scotia..............................8,499
Nunavut....................................4,307
Ontario....................................10,270
Prince Edward Island..................2.6
Qu�bec.....................................44,100
Saskatchewan...........................3,955
Yukon.......................................17,664
Canada ....................................163,173

Source: Study of the Hydropower Potential in Canada, report prepared by �EM for the Canadian Hydropower Association, March 2006.

Viable Wind Power Potential

Provinces / Territories           Wind Power Potential**
Ontario....................................38,979 MW***
Quebec...................................101,000 MW****

Notes:

**      Canada has abundant high-value wind power resources from the Northwest Territories to Newfoundland and Labrador. Currently, data on viable wind power potential is not publicly available for most provinces.

***     Ontario wind energy potential installed capacity (in areas with winds greater than 7.0 m/s): 38,979 MW. Ninety-five per cent of this potential is north of the 50 parallel beyond the current grid structure.

Source://www.canwea.ca/images/uploads/File/Resources/OPA_Supply_Mix_Consultation_-_Final_Submission.pdf

****   Quebec Wind Energy Potential that is technically and economically viable in the short to medium term: 101,000 MW

Source://www.canwea.ca/images/uploads/File/Wind_Energy_Policy/Provincial/Quebec/QU-energyboard-apr20.pdf

For further information:

Toby A.A. Heaps, Corporate Knights, (416) 274-1432, toby@corporateknights.ca

Karen Kun, Corporate Knights, (416) 887-4709, Karen@corporateknights.ca, www.corporateknights.ca

Corporate Knights Inc.

Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent Canadian-based media company focused on prompting and reinforcing sustainable development in Canada.

- 30-

Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-1703
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement