EDMONTON, ALBERTA — (Marketwired) — 10/10/13 — Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwired.
The Climate Change and Emissions Management () Corporation has committed more than $46 million in funding for eight renewable energy projects. The eight projects have a combined value of nearly $390 million.
“Renewable energy is now the largest part of the CCEMC portfolio,” said CCEMC Chair Eric Newell. “With growing global energy demand, it is critical that we continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy will play an important role in helping Alberta to reach emissions reduction goals and transition to a lower carbon future.”
The eight projects are estimated to combine to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than five megatonnes over 10 years.
“CCEMC–s investment into renewable energy is a great example of environmental stakeholders being a part of the solution,” said Diana McQueen, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. “Actions like this and actions by this government continue to put Alberta at the forefront of environmental stewardship and highlight our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Renewable energy includes energy derived from feedstock that is renewable and from natural or waste materials. Examples of renewable energy opportunities include conversion of biomass and waste to energy, bio-fuels, geothermal, mini-hydro, solar and wind.
The projects receiving funding are:
– on-farm waste to energy project, by Grow the Energy Circle Ltd., Perry Family Potato Farm Sustainability Initiative
– Large Scale Building Integrated Solar PV Demonstration in Production Housing by
– Implementation of High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Technology at the by Waste Management Services of the City of Edmonton, partnering with University of Alberta
– The Wintering Hills Battery Storage Pilot Project, by , in conjunction with
– Drayton Valley Aspen Integrated Resource Recovery (AIRR) Facility by the
– , by the University of California, Santa Cruz
– The Optimal Biocell by the
– Blackspring Ridge Wind Project. The project is a 50% joint ownership between and Blackspring Ridge I Wind Project Limited Partnership (the “Co-Owners”) and the project is managed by EDF EN Canada Development Inc. on behalf of the Co-Owners.
The renewable energy projects are from the seventh round of funding offered by the CCEMC. While most of the 99 submissions were from North America, the CCEMC also received submissions from Europe, Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East. Out of the 99 proposals received, 16 were shortlisted, representing diverse and innovative renewable technologies.
The CCEMC is a not-for-profit corporation that operates independently of government. The CCEMC focuses on stimulating transformative change by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Alberta adapt to climate change. Funding for the CCEMC is collected from industry. Since 2007, Alberta companies that annually produce more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over a baseline are required to reduce their greenhouse gas intensity by 12 per cent. Paying $15 into the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund for every tonne over the reduction limit is one compliance option.
Yesterday, the CCEMC announced that it was making $40 million available to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance carbon sequestration from .
The CCEMC has committed funding to 51 projects valued at nearly $1.3 billion. In total, the projects are estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10 megatonnes over 10 years. The organization is also funding a program aimed at reducing emissions from biological sources and supporting three projects to help Alberta adapt to climate change.
More detail on CCEMC is available at .
Note: For background on each of the projects and media contact information see the news section on .
Contacts:
Media contact:
Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation
Celia Sollows
780-239-4150