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March 28, 2012 - Good Afternoon and  I am pleased to be here in Fort Simpson today for the opening of this project along with my colleagues the Honourable David Ramsay,  Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment,  the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Power Corporation and Mr. Kevin Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh.  I would also like to recognize Mayor Sean Whelly, Mr. Brendan Bell  Northwest Territories Power Corporation Chair and Mr. Eric Menicoche Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board Member.

Protecting and preserving our environment is important for Northerners and is one of the goals of the Legislative Assembly.   Building sustainable, vibrant communities is another one of our goals.

Promoting and supporting the use of alternative energy projects is one of the ways that the Government of the Northwest Territories works towards these goals.

Through the Government of the Northwest Territories Energy Priorities Framework, we are investing in alternative energy projects like this new solar energy system.  The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment developed the initial plan for this project, working with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  Industry, Tourism and Investment provided $700,000 in capital funding under the Energy Priorities Investment Plan.

This system is the largest photovoltaic system in the Northwest Territories.  It is larger than any system north of 60 or in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Fort Simpson is Northwest Territories Power Corporation largest diesel-powered community.  This system will help replace some of that fuel with cheaper, environmentally friendly solar power.  With this system, we will be able to displace 15,000 litres of diesel and reduce carbon emissions by 44.5 tonnes a year.

The system is connected to the Fort Simpson grid and will provide up to 8.5% of the village’s minimum power requirements during the summer.  All Fort Simpson’s residents will benefit from this project.  And the entire thermal zone will benefit from the expected $15,000 in energy cost savings this project will provide.

Displacing fossil fuel and associated greenhouse gas emissions is an important part of the Government of the Northwest Territories Greenhouse Gas Strategy.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is also developing a Solar Energy Strategy to increase the use of solar technology when it can provide the best economic and social value for our communities.

In recent years, several small-scale solar systems have been connected to power grids in communities including Sachs Harbour, Nahanni Butte, Wekweeti, Behchoko and Fort Smith.

As the technology improves and costs come down, solar energy will become a more important part of the Northwest Territories energy mix, helping us reduce energy costs, create sustainable communities and protect our environment.

I would like to congratulate the people of Fort Simpson and the Power Corporation on this project, which will benefit local residents and help the Government of the Northwest Territories and Northwest Territories Power Corporation build expertise in alternative energy projects.

Thank you.