First Solar 60 MW Project Expansion
First Solar, Inc. announced today that they have entered into an agreement to expand the Sarnia Solar Project from 20 megawatts of capacity to 80 megawatts (MW).
Initial 20 MW Sarnia Solar Project achieves commercial operations
CALGARY, ALBERTA and TEMPE, ARIZONA – (December 8, 2009) -- Enbridge Inc. (TSX, NYSE: ENB) and First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) announced today that they have entered into an agreement to expand the Sarnia Solar Project from 20 megawatts of capacity to 80 megawatts (MW), with a total system cost of approximately CDN $300 million for the expansion. When completed in the second half of 2010, it is expected to be the largest photovoltaic solar energy facility in North America.
Enbridge and First Solar announced in October an agreement for Enbridge to acquire the initial 20 MW solar energy project that First Solar developed at the Sarnia site. This project achieved full commercial operation on December 7, 2009.
“We’re delighted to further strengthen our relationship with First Solar,” said Patrick D. Daniel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Enbridge, Inc. “First Solar has delivered the initial 20 MW as committed – demonstrating their strong technical competence combined with attention to meaningful community engagement and corporate social responsibility practices that align with our own values.
“Enbridge has made significant strides in growing its green energy business in 2009. With this investment, we will have interests in more than 470 megawatts of green power capacity from our five wind energy projects, expanded solar facilities, four waste heat recovery facilities and the world’s first commercial application of hybrid-fuel cell technology.”
"We welcome this new investment from Enbridge to expand the Sarnia project," said Bruce Sohn, President of First Solar. "It demonstrates confidence in First Solar's Engineering, Procurement and Construction team, which has recently completed the first 20 MW at Sarnia."
Mr. Daniel noted that solar energy is a key component of Enbridge’s environmental performance strategy to invest in renewable and alternative energy sources that complement Enbridge’s core operations and provide environmental benefits.
“Our increased investment in the Sarnia Solar Project maintains risk and return characteristics which are fully consistent with Enbridge’s low-risk business model, and similar to our crude oil pipeline business,” said Mr. Daniel. “The expansion of the Sarnia Solar Project will take advantage of the capacity of the Sarnia site to accommodate additional capacity. Following on our recently announced wind energy project, the Sarnia solar expansion provides a good balance in our renewable energy portfolio between solar and wind.”
Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, First Solar will construct the solar project for Enbridge under a fixed price engineering, procurement and construction contract, utilizing its thin film photovoltaic technology. First Solar’s advanced thin film technology has been deployed in 1.5 gigawatts of installations in the U.S. and Europe.
The 60 MW phase of the project is expected to begin construction in December and be completed by December 2010. At 80 MW, Enbridge expects the Sarnia Solar Project will generate enough power to meet the needs of over 12,800 homes and help to save the equivalent of approximately 39,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
First Solar will also provide operations and maintenance services to Enbridge under a long-term contract. The power output of the 80 MW facility will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority pursuant to 20-year Power Purchase Agreements under the terms of the Ontario Government’s Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.
“Our recent investments in green energy projects in Ontario – including the 99 MW Talbot Wind Energy Project, our 190 MW Enbridge Ontario Wind Project, and the Sarnia Solar Project – are evidence of Enbridge’s commitment to advancing environmentally preferred energy solutions, and of the value of the Ontario government’s proactive support and encouragement of investment within the province,” said Mr. Daniel.
Sarnia Solar Energy at a glance:
Capacity peak: approx. 80,000 kilowatts
Module surface area: approx. 973,000 m²; approx. 1.3 million thin film modules (First Solar)
Annual yield: approx. 120 million kWh (corresponding to the annual consumption of over 12,800 households)
CO2 saving: over 39,000 tonnes per year
