Saint John Energy explores renewable power generation

Saint John Energy is examining the possibility that it could start generating its own electricity because of new rules that will allow municipalities to get into the renewable energy game.

Raymond Robinson, the president and chief executive officer of Saint John Energy, says the utility is looking into itsoptions now.

Among the various renewable energy sources, Robinson says, hydro appears most promising for the power company.

"Wind is just there whenever it blows, but you can't count on it when you need it," says Robinson.

"I think hydro power would be most valued in the province right now. It's a resource that, typically, you can dispatch it in advance."

The opening into the renewable energy business springs from NB Power's Integrated Resource Plan, which was released in 2014.

The plan looks at ways to get the amount of renewable energy on the grid up to the 40 per cent mark by 2020. NB Power has allotted space for 75 megawatts of energy from sources like hydro, wind and solar, in order to meet that target.

Saint John Mayor Mel Norton travelled to Edmundston last week to meet with officials from that city to discuss economic development initiatives.

Hydro power generation was part of the discussion.

Edmundston, similar to Saint John, has its own municipal power utility.

The city sits at the confluence of the St John and Madawaska rivers and operates three city-owned hydro power generating stations.

Norton says that expertise could help his city.

"There are opportunities, It's certainly worth looking at," says Norton.

"It's a very reliable, obviously clean, reliable source of energy, relatively low maintenance cost. It pays for itself and then some. It actually provides back to the municipality millions of dollars, plus clean electricity."

Saint John Energy's Robinson said he expects NB Power's program will not be in place until the fall of 2015, at the earliest.

"We're just exploring," says Robinson.

"Very early stages as to whether or not there's a project that under a proper risk profile would be both economically and technically feasible to develop."