Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB) and First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) are celebrating the completion of Enbridge's 5-megawatt Tilbury Solar Project today, and its 15-megawatt Amherstburg II Solar Project.
"Solar energy is a key component of Enbridge's strategy to invest in renewable energy sources that complement our core operations and provide environmental benefits," said Don Thompson, Enbridge Vice President, Green Energy. "Our Tilbury and Amherstburg II projects are excellent examples of the success of that strategy. Together, they are preventing 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere, and are generating enough emissions-free electricity to meet the needs of about 3,200 homes."
"The Tilbury and Amherstburg II projects illustrate that solar power is a viable form of energy generation," said Frank DeRosa, First Solar Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Americas. "Because it makes good economic and environmental sense, it's here to stay."
To celebrate its expansion in the Tilbury and Amherstburg communities, Enbridge announced two $10,000 donations: one to the Chatham-Kent Fire Department and the other to the Amherstburg Fire Department. The donations, which fall under Enbridge's Safe Community Program, will be used by the fire departments to replace a fire safety trailer and to replace outdated pagers.
"When Enbridge becomes a member of a community, we commit to being a full and contributing member," said Thompson. "We continue to look forward to long and mutually beneficial relationships with the residents and businesses of both Tilbury and Amherstburg."
Tilbury Solar Project at a glance:
Generation Capacity: About 5 megawatts
Solar panels: About 82,500 panels
Area: 150 acres (60 hectares)
Annual yield: Around 7 million kWh (corresponding to the annual consumption of about 800 homes)
CO2 saving: About 3,000 tonnes per year (equal to removing about 344 cars from the road)
Total cost: Together with the Amherstburg II Solar Project, approximately C$90 million
Peak construction jobs: About 300
Amherstburg II Solar Project at a glance:
Generation Capacity: About 15 megawatts (split between two separate facilities, one of which is 10 MW, the other 5 MW)
Solar panels: 244,000 panels
Area: 154 acres (62 hectares)
Annual yield: Around 23 million kWh (corresponding to the annual consumption of about 2,400 homes)
CO2 saving: About 8,000 tonnes per year (equal to removing about 1,032 cars from the road)
Total cost: Together with the Tilbury Solar Project, approximately C$90 million
Peak construction jobs: About 350