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SunMine recognized for sustainability
The City of Kimberley’s SunMine has been selected as one of Canada’s top 15 sustainability-oriented projects.
“Canada’s Clean50 Top 15 Project Awards are announced annually by Delta Management Group and the Clean50 organization to recognize the 15 sustainability-oriented projects, completed in the previous two years, which have done the most to advance the cause of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada. Projects are chosen for their innovation, ability to inspire others, or to inform,” stated Gavin Pitchford, CEO of the Delta Management Group.
“Delta’s criteria in determining honourees is to carefully consider actual measurable accomplishments, demonstrated innovation, collaboration with other organizations, and the power of the project contribution to inspire other Canadians to take similar action,” he explained.
The SunMine – Converting a Mine site to a Solar Field project was chosen after rigorous screening and research by Delta Management, with advice from internal researchers and external advisors, and was among the Top 15 Projects selected from a large initial pool of well qualified nominees.
A true collaboration, Michel DeSpot of the EcoSmart Foundation first approached the City of Kimberley and Teck Resources in 2008 about a partnership to build Western Canada’s first large-scale solar facility on a reclaimed mine site.
With over 300 days of annual sunshine, Kimberley is a natural – and in 2011, 76% of voters supported the city borrowing $2 million towards the construction.
Teck provided a reclaimed mining site, an existing substation, and $2 million in support to the project. With help from other funders, including $1 million from the province’s Innovative Clean Energy Fund, the project commenced commercial operations in June 2015. It become the first large-scale grid-connected solar facility in Western Canada, the first in Canada to utilize solar tracking technology and the first solar facility built by a municipality, or on a reclaimed mine site.
The 997 MWh of electricity generated by the SunMine in the first 12 months resulted in the avoidance of 604 tonnes of CO2, generated $195,730 in revenue for the city.
City of Kimberley
