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Ontario renewable energy tariffs and Sarnia-Lambton | | |
Ontario offers generous new feed-in tariffs for electrical power generation, creating manufacturing opportunities
The Ontario Government has identified renewable energy creation as a key instrument for economic diversification. It recently unveiled a new Green Energy Act and introduced North America's first comprehensive feed-in tariff program, guaranteeing specific rates for energy generated from renewable sources. The tariffs are offered for a broad range of energy generation projects including: biomass, biogas, landfill gas, solar, and wind. Rates are among the most generous in the world. For example, solar PV less than or equal to 10 kilowatts receives $C 0.802 per kilowatt hour, and ground-mounted receives $C 0.443 per kilowatt hour. (A full schedule and the implementing legislation can be found at the Ontario Power Authority site at http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca.)
A key component of the new feed-in tariffs is the Ontario content requirement:
- 25% for wind projects, which will increase to 50% by January 1, 2012
- 50% for solar projects (40% for small solar), which will increase to 60% by January 1, 2011
Already a well-known energy centre, Sarnia-Lambton is ideal for new renewable energy projects. The area has strong competencies in engineering, fabrication, power electronics, machining, process technologies, instrumentation, and systems integration.
Within Sarnia-Lambton global firms are operating and developing energy projects on large and small scales; including solar, wind, natural gas, coal, biogas, and fuel cells.
The Economic Partnership has established a special position - Project Leader, Alternative Energy Technologies - to facilitate development. Denis Van Decker, who holds the position, has been actively following the new legislation and is prepared to assist firms with navigating the roadway to build new manufacturing and power generation facilities. As the economic development agency for Sarnia-Lambton our services are free of charge. Call today 519-332-1820.
 George MallayGeneral Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
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Biopolymers and Sarnia-Lambton |
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Biopolymers - an emerging sector for Sarnia-Lambton
Global production in the emerging biopolymers and bioplastics sector is predicted to increase six-fold (from 262,000 tonnes in 2007 to 1.6 million tonnes by 2011), according to industry organization European Bioplastics. But even with this increase in production, bioproducts will still only represent 0.7% of the approximate 230 million tonnes of plastics used today - leaving ample opportunities for future growth. Biopolymers can fall under two classifications - "biobased" and "biodegradable." To be classified as biobased, a material must be organic and contain some percentage of carbon found in biological resources or crops. To be classified as biodegradable, the material must meet all scientifically recognized norms for biodegradability and compostability of plastics. The two classes are not mutually exclusive, as a biopolymer can be both biobased and biodegradable. NatureWorks LLC, a global leader in bioplastics, is an example of the type of companies the Economic Partnership is encouraging to invest in Sarnia-Lambton. NatureWorks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of global agri-business giant Cargill Inc. It produces a family of biopolymers derived from corn-based sugar - and cost and performance is competitive with its oil-based plastics and fibre counterparts. The commercial-quality polymer is made from the carbon found in corn-based sugars, creating a proprietary polylactic acid polymer which is marketed under the Ingeo™ brand. Located in Blair, Nebraska, the NatureWorks' production facility is located next to a Cargill corn wet-milling plant. Over time, product applications for the Ingeo™ brand have been developed; ranging from apparel to home textiles, durable goods, food serviceware, and packaging.
With such a natural fit between biopolymers and two of Sarnia-Lambton's top economic sectors (petrochemical-based plastics and agriculture) a key element of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership's strategic plan is the pursuit of opportunities for the community based on the manufacturing of bioproducts.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is contacting key personnel in the biopolymer field to promote Sarnia-Lambton's unique qualities as a location for biopolymer development.
If you would like to learn more about Sarnia-Lambton and biopolymers contact Mike Ireland, Senior Development Consultant with the Economic Partnership, phone 519-332-1820. Click here for more information on Sarnia-Lambton's cleantech sector. |
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Happening now in Sarnia-Lambton |
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Ethanol capacity doubling in Sarnia-Lambton
In October, 2009, Suncor announced that plans for its St. Clair Township ethanol plant expansion were being reactivated, three months earlier than expected. This will double Suncor's Sarnia-Lambton ethanol production capacity to 400 million litres a year.
Biodiesel to be produced in Sarnia-Lambton
Methes Energies is investing $8 million in a new biodiesel plant in Sarnia-Lambton. Restaurant grease and animal fat will be used to produce 50-million litres of biodiesel annually. Initial production at the St. Clair Township site is slated for the first quarter of 2010.
 Sarnia boasts flower power
Congratulations, Bayfest!
Sarnia's Bayfest has just received the "Top Business / Event of the Year" award from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. This past July 90,000 thousand music fans attended five nights of rock and country concerts at Rogers Bayfest at Sarnia's waterfront Centennial Park.
Economic Partnership launches media centre
Check out Sarnia-Lambton economic development news and multi-media resources on our new media centre! | |
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In facilitating the development of biopolymers, the Economic Partnership works collaboratively with the 