Enbridge, First Solar complete world's largest photovoltaic facility

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Enbridge, First Solar complete world's largest photovoltaic facility October
4, 2010 Source: Enbridge Inc. and First Solar, Inc. Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:
ENB) and First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) have achieved commercial operation
of the 80-megawatt (MW) Sarnia Solar Project, making it the largest
operating photovoltaic facility in the world. The project complements
Enbridge's significant and growing portfolio of green energy assets that
includes interests in seven wind farms, a geothermal project, four waste
heat recovery facilities and a commercial application of integrated energy
recovery and fuel cell technology. "Our investments in green energy are an
increasingly important part of Enbridge's business," said Al Monaco,
Executive Vice President, Major Projects and Green Energy, Enbridge Inc.
"Over the last year, we added four new projects totaling $1.5 billion,
increasing our total green energy investment to $2 billion and establishing
a solid platform for attractive and sustainable long-term growth with a
risk-return profile consistent with our Liquids Pipelines and natural gas
businesses." "At the same time, our green energy assets deliver strong
environmental benefits," added Mr. Monaco. "Enbridge intends to stabilize
our environmental footprint at 2009 levels under a program that includes a
commitment to generate a kilowatt of renewable energy for every kilowatt of
power our operations consume. We will achieve this goal through projects
like the Sarnia Solar Project." The total generating capacity (in operation
and under construction) of the green energy projects in which Enbridge has
invested is almost 850 MW, which is enough energy to meet the needs of about
292,000 homes. First Solar, a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV)
solar panels and provider of solar solutions, will operate and maintain the
Sarnia Solar Project for Enbridge under a long-term contract. First Solar
developed, engineered, and constructed the facility, using its advanced thin
film solar panels. "Completing the world's largest PV power plant
demonstrates the migration of solar PV toward utility scale," said Frank De
Rosa, First Solar's senior vice president of North American project
development. "With this project, we expect to install 145 MW this year in
North America." In addition to generating about 120,000 MWh per year of
emissions-free power, the Sarnia Solar Project produces no waste and uses PV
technology that was designed to create the smallest carbon footprint of any
PV technology available. Enbridge expects the facility to generate enough
power to meet the needs of about 12,800 homes. Enbridge will sell the power
output of the facility to the Ontario Power Authority pursuant to 20-year
Power Purchase Agreements under the terms of the Ontario government's
Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program. Development of the Sarnia Solar
Project aligns not only with Enbridge's and First Solar's objectives, but
with those of the Government of Ontario. "The Sarnia Solar Project is an
example of the kinds of renewable energy projects that have been developed
under the Government of Ontario's Green Energy Act," said the Honourable
Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Energy. "Ontario can now boast the largest
solar farm in North America - it is projects like this one that are making
us a leader in renewable energy and helping us all move towards a cleaner
energy future." "This is a significant project that not only helps power
local homes and businesses with clean, renewable energy, but improves our
air quality at the same time," said Maria Van Bommel, MPP for
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. "I'm proud that a McGuinty government policy is
helping Sarnia-Lambton take the lead on solar power." Sarnia Solar Energy at
a glance: Capacity peak: about 80 MW of emissions-free power Power
purchaser: Ontario Power Authority Facility size: Located on 950 acres Panel
surface area: about 966,000 square metres, which is about 1.3 million thin
film panels (First Solar) Annual yield: about 120,000 MWh CO2 saving: over
39,000 tonnes per year Jobs created: About 800 jobs created at construction
peak, as well as indirect benefits to dozens of businesses in the Sarnia
area, including engineering and design firms, construction subcontractors,
suppliers and service providers.