ENMAX Energy and its subsidiaries have a solid energy supply portfolio and a strong commitment to support renewable energy solutions. In the spring of 2006, ENMAX will begin construction of the Taber Wind Power Facility, an 80MW wind power generating facility in the M.D. of Taber in southern Alberta. This is an exciting new project that will expand ENMAX’s portfolio of sustainable energy generation that already includes 50% ownership of the McBride Wind Farm near Fort McLeod, and the Furry Creek run-of-river hydro facility in British Columbia.
ENMAX has worked with local land owners and the municipal district of Taber to bring the Taber Wind Farm to fruition. 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. A key element of this wind power facility will be a 20-year supply agreement with The City of Calgary. The City has agreed to purchase 100% of the electricity and renewable energy certificates from the Taber Wind Power facility.
McBride Lake, one of Canada's largest wind farm, is a perfect example of our multi-faceted role as owner, developer and marketer in renewable energy. The 75 MW, $100-million facility produces about 235,000 MWh per year from 114 Vesta wind turbines. ENMAX purchases the entire electrical output for its residential and commercial customers.
ENMAX owns and operates an 11 MW run-of-river hydroelectric facility at Furry Creek, British Columbia. Run-of-river uses the natural flow of a river to produce electricity and has no large scale dam or reservoir. It is green technology because it is not disruptive to the surrounding area, produces no emissions, and uses an abundant natural resource.
Renewable Energy Solutions
Roughly two-thirds of the electricity generated in Alberta comes from low burning sulfur coal. The remainder comes from natural gas and co-generation, hydro and green power sources.
Green power is energy produced from resources that are replenished naturally with minimal harm to the environment. Green power sources include wind, run-of-river hydro, solar and biomass (burning plant materials and wood waste).
Wind is one of the most environmentally friendly methods of producing electricity and is gaining popularity in Alberta and the rest of Canada. Wind power makes up the majority of the renewable power in the province and Alberta leads Canada in terms of wind energy production. ENMAX uses wind power to support our Greenmax program, one of the largest green marketing programs in North America. The project is supported by the federal government's Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI) program.