New solar plant funding to create 16 local jobs

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

***************************** Orazietti announces $1 million for solar panel plant expansion in Sault Ste. Marie

Provincial Clean Energy Act creating more local jobs and boosting economy

SAULT STE. MARIE - The province is continuing to invest in the clean energy manufacturing sector in Sault Ste. Marie supporting the expansion of Heliene Canada’s solar module manufacturing plant that is expected to create an additional 16 local jobs, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“The province’s innovative renewable energy programs are leading the way in North America by delivering solar projects that are creating high quality local jobs and building a stronger more diversified economy in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Orazietti. “We have attracted $1 billion in investments to the Sault and Algoma area because of the Green Energy Act and it is imperative we keep building on the substantial progress we have made, which is why we should be concerned about political parties in Ontario that, if elected, will cut these programs and the jobs they have created in our community.”

The province is investing $1 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation’s (NOHFC) Enterprise North Job Creation Program in order to expand their current solar module manufacturing plant by 12,000 square feet and install two additional soldering machines and a silicon application unit to meet the high demand created by the province’s renewable energy programs.

Additionally, the province previously provided $2.5 million for Heliene Solar to set up its solar module plant in Sault Ste. Marie.

“The province’s Green Energy Act has been instrumental in providing Sault Ste. Marie with the necessary job diversification to continue to grow,” said Martin Pochtaruk, president of Heliene Canada. “Heliene now has 72 employees, these jobs would not be here if it was not for the determination and proactive approach to renewable energy of our provincial government and we are extremely grateful for the vision and hard work of our MPP David Orazietti.”

The province’s Green Energy Act places a priority on expanding Ontario’s use of clean and renewable sources of energy to help combat climate change and phase out coal generated power.

The provincial Green Energy Act continues to boost investment in renewable energy projects, increase energy conservation, create green jobs and strengthen Sault Ste. Marie’s economy.

Key provincial investments that are transforming Sault Ste. Marie into the green energy capital of North America while also strengthening the local economy and creating jobs include: 

- Ontario power purchase agreement to facilitate $400 million investment by Brookfield Renewable Power in 189 MW wind farm

- Ontario power purchase agreement to facilitate $300 million investment by Starwood Energy in 60 MW solar farm

- Ontario power purchase agreement to facilitate $175 million investment by St. Mary’s Paper in 30 MW biomass co-gen plant

- Ontario power purchase agreement to facilitate $135 million investment by Essar Steel in 70 MW co-gen plant

- Over $7 million to green Sault Ste. Marie schools including energy retrofits

- $7.4 million in provincial gas tax funding to increase ridership for public transit also reducing air emissions

- $2.5 million for Heliene Canada to build a $10 million solar module manufacturing plant

- $2 million for Ellsin Environmental tire recycling project

- $1.4 million to construct methane collection system at landfill to reduce greenhouse gases

- $900,000 for Elementa project for bio-conversion

- $864,000 P.U.C. -  Water Treatment solar project facilitated by Ontario power purchase agreement

- $50,000 for Algoma University solar project

- $50,000 for Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) to create alternative energy strategy

- FIT and Microfit Programs

- Completed Sault Ste. Marie - North Transmission line upgrades – greater electricity stability

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