Proposed Durham Solar Energy Project Map (Image from West Grey Council)
A potential solar energy development project is being proposed for Durham.
West Grey received a delegation from Sitka Power last week which aims to construct a green, renewable energy facility.
Sitka Power is a development company which owns and operates green energy storage assets across Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Patrick Gossage from Sitka Power says this is part of a large energy procurement project the province is undertaking and needs assistance from the municipality in submitting to the Independent Electricity System Operator.
“Part of what we need from you, is just an approval to submit a bid as a municipality. Part of what we are here to do, is to listen to you, understand community needs, and make sure that we tend to those so that we can bid this project in October,” says Gossage.
He adds they have secured the land for the proposed project, which is currently zoned as rural.
“If the project were to be successful during the bid, then we would go through all those zoning changes, do increased environmental screening. We are in the process of doing Indigenous consultations and we are very hopeful that we will have a First Nation partner as an equity stakeholder in the project,” says Gossage.
He adds they will establish a community benefit agreement with the Municipality of West Grey.
“Some funds from the operating income will go to the municipality for use in infrastructure projects or whatever you determine is needed,” says Gossage.
The project timeline anticipates to have the site up and running between 2026 and 2028, before it is eventually decommissioned sometime after 2051.
