Summerside to build solar farm that meets 62 percent of its electricity needs

Plans to construct a new 21-megawatt solar farm and a battery storage facility in Summerside, PEI have been announced. According to Infrastructure Canada, this renewable energy source will improve the energy efficiency of the City of Summerside and allow the City to meet 62 percent of its electricity needs through renewable energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 21,000 tonnes per year.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $26.3 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Prince Edward Island is contributing over $21.9 million, with the City of Summerside providing the balance of the funding.

“The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to invest nearly $22 million in solar and battery storage in Summerside to increase renewable energy generation in our province and help us reach our climate targets. To make real change for our environment, we need to work together to empower our communities to be innovative in sustainability solutions that work for them. We look forward to taking even more steps to help more Island communities become energy independent, through our sustainable communities initiative.” said the Honorable Steven Myers, Prince Edward Island Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy.

“With this announcement the people of Summerside can again showcase their innovative, entrepreneurial spirit. This announcement, and the partnerships that have led to it, again highlight the value of our electric utility and the capacity we have to be nimble, responsive, and to provide national leadership in this sector. Summerside has always embraced leveraging the assets of it community to further the community’s economic potential and partnerships and todays marks a major milestone in that journey.” said, Basil Stewart, Mayor of the City of Summerside.