Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP) is planning to get into the energy game. Al Strang, manager, environment and external relations for HSPP, said an energy producer, Plutonic Power, has approached the mill to oversee maintenance and operations of one of their newest green-power projects destined for the Coast.
The project would use water from Rainy River (which is the same river that runs through the mill) to produce approximately 56 gigawatt hours of energy a year. That's enough energy to supply 5,600 homes or eleven 20 to 25-storey office buildings with power each year.
Plutonic Power would then sell the power to an energy producer in the Pacific Northwest. HSPP would be paid a wage by the power company to operate the power plant and provide any maintenance necessary.
"We're always looking for ways to increase our revenue," said Strang. "It's a tough time right now for any exporter."
Plutonic Power is based in West Vancouver. They are planning a number of green-power projects along the coastline.Currently they are securing land rights and water licences to build 16 projects in southwestern B.C.
They are calling this series of green-power plants the Green Power Corridor, and should they be successful it would be "one of the largest single private sector investments ever made in British Columbia and would create over 2,400 positions of employment," said Donald McInnes, president of Plutonic Power.
Strang says they are happy to be involved in the local Rainy River project that is expected to start construction early in 2005.
Capital costs for the project are expected to be approximately $26 million and, subject to financing and permitting, construction on the project could commence as early as 2005. It would take about 18 months to complete.
