Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, throughout my term as an MLA for Nahendeh, we've heard about this great project at Colville Lake, with the solar there. I have some questions for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation in regards to the project in Colville Lake: who was involved to help fund this pilot project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories provided $1,150,000 for the hybrid solar, photovoltaic, diesel, and battery energy power plant project in Colville Lake. The federal government also contributed money in the amount of $150,000, so total government contributions amounted to $1.3 million. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for his answer. In regards to this project, and it's a pilot project from my understanding from the different briefings I've received from the department and the Power Corporation, can the Minister tell us how long this pilot project is scheduled to last?
I can advise that monitoring will continue over the entire life of the project. Our experience with this type of project is that what we learn from the project can be used and applied to future projects under the energy strategy. Solar panels have a life of 25 years or more, but batteries have a lesser life of about 10 years. Battery technology, however, is improving, so that may enhance the project.
I thank the Minister for that answer. It's good to hear that the corporation is learning as they move on for other projects. Can the Minister please advise this House: what has the Power Corporation learned from this project and how we can move forward with it?
The goal of the project was to validate the integration of solar with significant storage capacity and test the limits of integrating intermittent renewable energy sources. NTPC has contracted with a third party to complete a performance review of the hybrid plant at Colville Lake, to be completed at the end of March 2018. Once the study is complete, the design basis for a standard energy storage system will be completed for consideration and other NTPC thermal power plants.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to give some credit to the Power Corporation because, when the solar panels are working there, you can hear a pin drop in the community; it's that quiet. So it's very positive in that nature. When can we see the Power Corporation actually expand this project to other small communities, such as, Jean Marie or Kakisa? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Power Corporation supports the government's work on the 2030 Energy Strategy, and is looking forward to becoming a key partner in implementing a threeyear action plan that is currently under development. We understand that emerging renewable energy projects require additional financial support, and the GNWT is committed to covering the incremental costs of these investments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
