ENMAX Corporation today announced it has received regulatory and government approval to build and operate an 80MW wind power generating facility in the Municipal District of Taber in southern Alberta. Construction is expected to begin in April 2006, and be completed by the first quarter of 2007, at a cost of approximately $140 million.
“We’re making this investment in response to increasing customer demand for cleaner energy,” said Gary Holden, President and CEO, ENMAX Corporation, “We already have the largest green power marketing program in Canada, and this news reinforces our commitment to meet people’s needs for cleaner energy.”
ENMAX has been working closely with the Municipal District of Taber throughout the process. “The Taber Wind Power project is a tremendous boost to our local community. We look forward to working closely with ENMAX for many years to come,” said Hank Van Beers, M.D. of Taber Reeve.
A key element of the ENMAX wind power facility will be a 20-year supply agreement with The City of Calgary. The City has agreed to purchase 100 per cent of its electricity with a long term goal of having more than 75 per cent of municipal government operations of The City of Calgary provided by renewable resources.
"We are happy to work with ENMAX on this project and enhance our role as a leader in environmental stewardship in Canada,” said Dave Bronconnier, Mayor, City of Calgary. “By securing the output of the Taber wind power facility, the City of Calgary will have three-quarters of its electricity supplied from green power – more than any other city in the country."
ENMAX received approval from the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) to construct and operate the Taber Wind Power project and substation. An environmental assessment for the project has also been undertaken in accordance with Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency guidelines.
The Taber Wind Power generation facility will employ a technologically advanced wind turbine design supplied by ENERCON, a German manufacturer. The 37 ENERCON turbines will have a total power output of over 80 MW, enough to power more than 32,000 homes. The McBride Lake Wind Farm, of which ENMAX owns 50/50 with VisionQuest, consists of 114 turbines for a total power output of 75MW.
ENMAX Corporation and its predecessors have provided Albertans with safe and reliable electricity for over 100 years. A wholly owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary, ENMAX provides electricity, natural gas, renewable energy and value-added services to more than 435,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Alberta through its subsidiary companies. In addition to owning 50 per cent of the McBride Lake Wind Farm – one of Canada’s largest wind farms – the company has the first and largest green power marketing program of its kind in Canada. For more information, visit our website at enmax.com.