Local school boards are taking a keen interest in a new project that could provide power at a fixed rate while also reducing their overall environmental footprint.
Originally created in 2005, the Bull Creek Project, a 46-turbine wind farm located 20 kilometres northeast of Provost, is said to have a capacity of 115 megawatts and generates enough renewable energy to power 30,000 to 35,000 homes.
Both the Canadian Rockies Public School (CRPS) and Christ the Redeemer School boards have signed up for the project with the francophone board, Conseil scolaire catholique et francophone du Sud de l’Alberta, expected to join sometime in January.
Currently, over 40 other school divisions across the province have approved participation in the project.
“I’m excited because it allows us to work towards and meet the aspirations of the students and the community around environmental citizenship and it makes good financial sense,” said Kim Bater, the CRPS board chair.
“The aspiration piece for students in the community is really important,” he added.
With its contract to buy power expiring in December 2013, CRPS is expected to start purchasing electricity from the wind farm starting in January 2014.
Constructed by BluEarth Renewables Inc., the estimated $160 million development will begin construction this year and is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2013.
According to a press release, the consortium in charge indicated the best way for the various school boards to cut down on costs and secure long-term energy requirements is to enter a 25-year agreement with the Alberta Schools Wind Project.
“This consortium has really done their homework in terms of what are all the possibilities and what kind of environmental footprint if anything,” Bater said.
CRPS secretary-treasurer Dave MacKenzie also noted in the release that the majority of power in the province comes from coal-fired generating plants that will soon need massive capital investments. The consortium has advised that the wind farm project is the most economical way to move forward, he said.
Mary Stengler, board chair for Christ the Redeemer Schools, reiterated the division’s support behind the project after a motion was passed at its last board meeting.
“It would give us some stable long-term pricing,” Stengler said, adding reducing the overall environmental footprint is also very important aspect.
The number of schools participating in the project will determine the projected prices.
Although it has previously discussed the idea of joining with the other two school divisions, the francophone school board, which has one school in Canmore, is still reviewing the proposal.
“The business plan is much more precise now,” said Yvan Beaubien, the corporate secretary in charge of operational services for the francophone board.
“We think it’s a good project. It makes things more predictable and is a cleaner source of energy,” he added. “When you have 40 or so boards purchasing electricity and resources together, it makes a huge difference.
“Hopefully most of the boards that have been part of the consortium will see value in it and enable the project to go ahead.”
