Enbridge boosts Ontario solar network

Enbridge Inc. is adding another 20 megawatts of power to its network with the acquisition of two new Ontario solar energy projects from First Solar Inc. for about $90 million.

The company said theprojects in Tilbury and Amherstburg will generate enough to supply annual power to the equivalent of 3,200 homes.

Calgary-based Enbridge recently added a 80 megawatt solar project from First Solar in Sarnia, Ont.

Al Monaco, Enbridge's president of green energy, said renewable energy is well positioned to meet a significant portion of increasing demand for electricity.

Construction of the five MW Tilbury project was completed in December. About 89,000 solar panels occupy 6.1 hectares of space.

Two separate facilities 70 kilometres away in Amherstburg will be completed in the third quarter, with construction beginning in March.

The project includes 244,000 solar panels on seven hectares.

The two projects will save a combined 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the companies said. First Solar of Tempe, Ariz., will build the facilities using advanced thin film photovoltaic technology and provide operations and maintenance services.

The generated power will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under a 20-year agreement.

Enbridge also owns Canada's largest natural gas distribution company and the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system.