VANCOUVER (February 15, 2010) - British
Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell officially kicked off Clean Energy
Day at Robson Square during the 2010 Winter Games by announcing
three new major clean energy and technology investments in the
province.
"British Columbia has enormous clean energy potential and
together with industry, we are putting it to work for our economy,
generating new jobs and new wealth for B.C. communities, while
lowering greenhouse gas emissions within and beyond our borders,"
said Premier Campbell.
"Today, on Clean Energy Day, we are showcasing the
incredible growth and innovation taking place in our province's
clean technology sector and in bioenergy, hydro, wind, geothermal,
tidal, wave and solar energy generation."
Clean Energy Day showcases B.C.'s vibrant green business sector
as well as industry confidence and multi-million dollar investments
in British Columbia's clean energy future.
"We need to address both B.C.'s growing energy needs and climate
change, which will require increased development of clean,
renewable energy," said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines
and Petroleum Resources. "The Province is working hard to support
clean energy solutions, and we are lucky that B.C. is home to
companies whose innovation is attracting partnerships and
investment from clean energy leaders around the world."
Several of B.C.'s clean energy leaders and international
partners joined Premier Campbell on Clean Energy Day for major
announcements demonstrating their commitment to B.C.'s clean energy
future:
B.C. biomass energy company Pacific BioEnergy Corporation is
partnering with global energy leader GDF SUEZ on a $24-million
expansion of the wood pellet plant in Prince
George. GDF SUEZ has also agreed to purchase 2.5
million tonnes of carbon-neutral wood pellets over the next 10
years. The expansion project will result in improved air
quality in Prince George and greater use of mountain pine beetle
killed timber in the surrounding forests. Use of carbon-neutral
B.C. wood pellets by GDF SUEZ will result in significant reductions
in CO2 emissions at its electrical facilities in
Europe.
Vancouver-based global venture capital firm Chrysalix Energy
announced that their Chrysalix Energy Limited Partnership III (CELP
III) fund now exceeds US$100 million and is on target to reach
US$150 million by March 31, 2010. Additionally, Credit Suisse has
decided to invest in Chrysalix through its affiliate, the Oregon
Investment Fund.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) and Nexterra Systems
Corp. are partnering to demonstrate the world's first installation
of a unique biomass-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) solution
developed by Nexterra and GE Power & Water's gas engine
division. The CHP system will provide clean, renewable heat and
electricity for UBC's Vancouver campus and a platform for bioenergy
research. Commercialization of the Nexterra/GE CHP system has the
potential to realize up to $1 billion in export sales by
2020. (See companion article on GLOBE-Net)
These investments will help the Province to continue to advance
its commitment to clean, renewable energy.
Clean and renewable energy continues to be a cornerstone of the
Province's climate action plan, which will create jobs, support
families and generate new economic activity throughout British
Columbia, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions within and beyond
our borders. Electricity self-sufficiency and clean and renewable
power generation are integral to B.C.'s effort to reduce its carbon
footprint and fight climate change.
Clean Energy Day is part of the Province's 2010 Olympic and
Paralympic business hosting strategy, which will feature dozens of
events and outreach opportunities to promote British Columbia's
core industries, diverse regions and communities, and investment
and job- creation potential throughout the province.
Don't
miss Clean Technology at GLOBE 2010
- part of the GLOBE 2010 Conference Program taking
place on March 24-26, 2010. A Special Day has been set aside
to explore many aspects of Clean Technology in our daily
lives. Hear some of the world's leading experts
discuss: Competitiveness + Jobs: The Role of Clean
Technology in Near-Term Stimulus and Long-Term Economic
Development