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 Posté le: Mar Oct 01, 2013 3:29 am Sujet du message: Independent power critical for stable energy futur |
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{Independent power critical for stable energy future}
The Skookum Power Project east of Squamish is being developed by Delta’s Run of River Power|Run of River Power Inc.By Sean KolenkoTue Jul 30, 2013 12:01am PSTPart 1 of 2BC’s independent clean energy industry is once again on the defensive from critics such the NDP that claim private energy developments such as run of river and wind projects are too expensive and will cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars over the next four years. But proponents argue that in the long run, these new sources of power will be relatively cheap and are worth the investment.Currently electricity can be bought on the spot market for about $35 per megawatt hour while BC Hydro is paying some independent power producers between $100 and $120 per megawatt hour. But such a comparison is short sighted, Paul Kariya, executive director of Clean Energy BC,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler down jackets[/url], told Business in Vancouver. Because long-term electricity prices – and renewable independent power producers all sign long-term fixed-price contracts with BC Hydro, some as long as 40 years – cannot not be based on the spot market, which can fluctuate at any time.The benefit of independent energy projects is that they provide a secure source of electricity at prices unaffected by a potential spot-market rollercoaster, Kariya said. In 2001, when California battled a rash of blackouts, for example, the spot market reached $1,000 per megawatt hour. At that price,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler on sale[/url], $120 is a good deal.“When you sign a long-term deal,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler down jackets[/url],[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler outlet[/url], it sounds expensive,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler sale[/url],” Kariya said. “But we’re going to feel blessed in the future that we have long-term fixed price contracts. You can’t build an economy on the spot market and you can’t finance a project on the spot market.”Even BC Hydro can’t produce new power sources for less than the spot market, Kariya added. For example, electricity from Aberfeldie,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler sale[/url], a dam upgraded by BC Hydro in 2009, costs $87 per megawatt hour.The future price of carbon, as well, will affect the economics of such independent projects. Currently, B.C.’s carbon tax is frozen at $30 per tonne for five years. But no one knows how aggressively carbon will be taxed in the future, said Kariya. If the carbon tax rises dramatically,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler outlet[/url], which green energy power advocates believe it should, renewable projects will immediately seem like shrewd investments.“What does the carbon future look like? The U.S. is waking up to climate change and while we don’t yet know what that means for them, when we price in carbon these projects become more economical,” Kariya said.Rick Hopp, CEO of Run of River Power Inc. (TSX-V:ROR),[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]discount moncler jackets[/url], an independent power company based in Delta, agrees.For Hopp, the critical questions missing from the attacks on allegedly costly independent energy sources are: do we believe in climate change? And, how do we want to supply future energy demands?“What is the cost we’re willing to pay for green power?” asked Hopp, whose company operates the Brandywine Creek run-of-river project south of Whistler and is also building the Skookum Power Project east of Squamish.“What’s the value society is going to put on energy from non-hydro carbon sources? If demand goes up, you want to make sure you can service that. How much reliance would you want to put then on the spot market?”Currently, BC Hydro has a small surplus of power. But, demand is expected to jump dramatically in the next two decades to service large-scale industrial projects such as LNG facilities and new mines.There were more than 70 energy contracts signed by independent power producers in 2010, the last time BC Hydro offered such contracts.Government needs to set a dependable regulatory framework for independent power: Green MLAAndrew Weaver, Green Party MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, supports renewable independent power producers. The sector provides clean energy and the companies bidding on the contracts take all the capital risk.But that doesn’t mean the government shouldn’t play a role in independent power. Quite the opposite, said Weaver.The B.C. government needs to provide a better regulatory framework – one with clear environmental guidelines,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]moncler on sale[/url], he said – to support independent power companies because a long-term, fixed supply of power is important for the future British Columbia.“We have to ensure the footprint for these projects is minimal. Don’t build run of river on a salmon-bearing stream, for instance. With the right regulatory framework, this is a positive. Let the market find the winners. Business will rise to the challenge,” said Weaver.Tags: Paul Kariya, Run of River Power Inc.,[url=http://www.moncler-sale.org]discount moncler jackets[/url], investments, prices, energy
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