P.E.I., feds to spend $44M for new wind energy transmission line

The federal and P.E.I. governments say they will together spend $44 million on a 106-kilometre transmission line to transport energy from future wind generation projects in western P.E.I. — specifically, a new wind farm to be built in Skinners Pond.

The provincial government is putting $22.75 million into the project while the federal government is contributing $21.25 million, said a news release issued Thursday. 

"This has been something that's been something that's been on the agenda and worked on for a while," said P.E.I. Premier Dennis King at a news conference. 

"We live on an island that has tremendous potential for further development of renewable energy," King said. "We have an opportunity to become sustainable and more innovative in our approach as we look to benefit from the greening of our economy." 

The line will help the province manage power from a future wind farm in Skinners Pond, which the politicians said is planned for 2025 and will produce 40 megawatts of energy. It will connect to the Sherbrooke substation just outside Summerside. 

The Skinners Pond area is relatively undeveloped and has a strong wind regime, said Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey. 

"What was holding this development back was the inability for the energy to be transported out of here," he said. 

"This will pay dividends to this part of Prince Edward Island for years and years to come."

This is the latest in a series of project announcements over the last few weeks involving tens of millions of dollars from the provincial and federal governments, including new sports arenas to be built in North Rustico and Tyne Valley, and upgrades to the Pownal Sports Centre. 

Morrissey said the projects "will bring economic benefits to small rural communities that otherwise wouldn't participate."

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