New solar energy system takes root in Canada
November 8, 2013ABB to build new solar energy plant in Ontario
ABB, a leading energy and technology firm, is preparing to build a new solar energy system in Ontario, Canada. The system is being called the Grand Renewable Energy Park and will boast of a total capacity of 100 megawatts. The solar energy system itself will be located relatively close to Toronto, which is becoming a hub of activity when it comes to renewable energy and clean technology. ABB will be responsible for engineering the solar energy system as well as installing its various components and maintaining the system as a whole.
Project boasts of 100MW capacity
The project is quite large, ranging upwards of $80 million in costs. The Grand Renewable Energy Park will be one of the largest of its kind in the world and certainly among the largest solar systems in Canada. There are other solar energy initiatives that are larger, ranging beyond 1 gigawatt in terms of capacity, but such initiatives are quite rare due to their inordinate expense. ABB believes that its new solar energy system will be large enough to help supply the demand for clean electricity in Canada, though the system may not cause a significant reduction in the consumption of fossil-fuels.
Canada continues to move away from fossil-fuels
Solar energy has become quite popular in Canada. The country has been working to reduce emissions in recent years and part of this effort has fostered an increased focus on the use of renewable energy. There are several solar and wind projects that have taken root throughout Canada and many of these projects are meant to help reduce the country’s reliance on fossil-fuels. It may be several years before the majority of these projects are actually completed, however, which is making Canada’s transition away from fossil-fuels sluggish.
Solar system expected to finish construction in 2014
The new solar energy system will feature ABB’s flagship automation technology, which is expected to improve the efficiency of the system itself to some degree. Construction on the new solar energy system is expected to last throughout the majority of 2014, with the system coming online at some point later during the year.