Run of River Would Let Energy Flow

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 01:12 PM

Prince George, B.C. – Run of River power, that is one of the clean energy sources being proposed for B.C.

Donald A. McInnes is the Vice Chairman and CEO of Plutonic Power which is a major player in developing run of river power projects.

McInnes says the electricity industry is in a crisis situation in B.C. “Unfortunately today we are importing 15% of the energy needed to turn our lights on so the time has come to build new electrical generating facilities.”

Canadians use the most electricity among all the G7 nations, “Because of our cheap electricity, we take it for granted” He says in the future, the Government is hoping B.C. residents will find half the energy we need through conservation.

His first recognition was to the Lheidli T’enneh recognizing it is extremely important to “get your social license to exist” and that means working with the local communities especially those which have land claims he says there won’t be any way any lending institution will lend money if there hasn’t been engagement and involvement of the First Nations on the project. His company has developed agreements with three First Nations in the development of the $600 million dollar Toba River project, and expansion of that project will require agreements with 6 more First Nations.

“We are living on borrowed time when it costs for electricity and what it will cost to fill the gap in the future.” He pointed to the increasing costs over the past 30 years on everything from cars to a Big Mac, and while some items have gone up by as much as 750% the cost of electricity over the same period has increased just 40%.

Site “C” the proposed dam project for the Peace River, will take too long to come on stream says McInnes, as there needs to be First Nations consultation, environmental assessments and construction time, so before you know it it’s 2025 before Site C is up and running.

Plutonic Power diverts a river from a height, then after the water passes through turbines, the water returns to its natural course “It’s a very small environmental footprint” says McInnes.

McInnes says as the world looks for alternatives to oil, there is more impact on food prices as farmers in the U.S. switch to growing corn to create ethanol. “We don’t have to participate in this” says McInnes who says B.C. is well positioned for clean energy such as run of river and wind turbines.

Clean costs lots of green says McInnes who says installing the power lines to one generating site in the lower mainland costs $100 million dollars. So the low cost energy we have been accustomed to will soon come to an end.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 01:12 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on May 21 2008 1:35 PM

Run of the river, eh? Nice concept. Better start now if you wanna have it working in less than twenty years. Three levels of government. The banks. Local protesters. 51 First Nations. Regional districts and on and on. Good luck.

Posted by: Bridge on May 21 2008 4:40 PM

"we are importing 15% of the energy needed to turn our lights on"

We are importing cheap power from Alberta to sell to the Americans. And what is the total amount of power that PowerX gets form BC Hydro to exports to the USA? Mayb Rafe Mair can help us.

Build Site C. We may aswlll us our agricultural lands for electical power rather then use the crop for entonal to feed our gass guzzlers and polute the air we breath.

Cheers

Posted by: lostfaith on May 21 2008 4:48 PM

Importing power, I say BS. If we are having to import power why would we be selling our power to the USA. Cheap electricity he says. Someone else must pay his cheap electricity bill. Maybe cut the powerlines off where they cross the US border. He says electricity has increased ONLY 40% in the past 30 years. YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT BUDDY, YOU CALL OUR HYDRO BILLS CHEAP?

He says..."McInnes says as the world looks for alternatives to oil, there is more impact on food prices as farmers in the U.S. switch to growing corn to create ethanol. �We don�t have to participate in this� says McInnes who says B.C. is well positioned for clean energy such as run of river and wind turbines."

What the hell does this have to do with run of river, hydro electricity. Pull your head outta your butt buddy.

"Clean costs lots of green says McInnes who says installing the power lines to one generating site in the lower mainland costs $100 million dollars. So the low cost energy we have been accustomed to will soon come to an end."

And you would like us to pay you how much for this electricity?

People, you gotta remember all these people are interested in is relieving you of whatever money you have left in your wallets.

LEAVE OUR RIVERS ALONE AND GO BACK TO THE USA.

Posted by: lostfaith on May 21 2008 4:51 PM

THESE MONEY HUNGRY SCUMBAGS MAKE ME SICK

Posted by: Eagleone on May 21 2008 7:09 PM

BC exports more electricity than we import on balance, but we do import during peak times of the day because of the nature of our hydro production and the ability for it to ramp up and down as quick as a gas fired generation. This is completely different than having an actual 15% shortfall in generation and has far more to do with efficiencies.

You can bet that BC Hydro will be selling their power for what ever the 'run of the river' operators need to make their operations profitable, which will be at least 30times what BC hydro could generate the same power for.

This whole exercise is an exercise by the BC liberal government to have water rights and public power removed from Chapter 11 protection under NAFTA so that its profit potential can be privatized to the insiders that drive this policy. We as the citizens and industry based in BC will pay for those privatized profits.

Posted by: lostfaith on May 21 2008 8:50 PM

Then we get the same treatment as California did with the Enron scandal.

Posted by: govsux on May 22 2008 2:59 PM

Wait til Gordo & co get elected again. Then the privatization and wholesale sell off of our public resources will begin. They will get in, what's the alternative?