More wind power in the air for Summerside

Having bought 15 per cent of its electricity from wind farms in 2007, Summerside, P.E.I., is aiming to get five times that much.

'When they put up the windmills at North Cape, we all sort of sat there and said, You know, this is ridiculous.' Coun. Vance Bridges

During his budget address to council Tuesday night, finance chair Bruce MacDougall announced the city expected wind power to make up 23 per cent of its 2008 requirements, and that was only the beginning.

"Plans are moving ahead for the development of our own 12.5-megawatt wind farm," said MacDougall.

"Once completed, Summerside will receive 76 per cent of its electricity purchases on an equivalent basis from wind energy. To our knowledge, your worship, this will be by far the highest use of renewable energy by any city in the developed world."

Plans for the new wind farm are still in the early stages, with the city having received money from the federal government for a feasibility study.

Coun. Vance Bridges applauded the city's commitment to green energy, and confessed to having his doubts when wind energy was first being talked about.

"A few years ago when they put up the windmills at North Cape, we all sort of sat there and said, 'You know, this is ridiculous,'" said Bridges.

"But you know, that is an incredible achievement when you think about it, in development. To think that within a few years we will probably be able to supply most, if not all, of our needs from wind energy. That is significant."

MacDougall also highlighted the city's new wastewater treatment plant, noting it is achieving the highest standards of treatment in the province. He said this is another example of how the city is looking out for the environment.