British Columbia's first wind farm -- the AltaGas project near Dawson Creek -- was declared open for business on Thursday, a move that was applauded by one of the province's leading environmentalists
Tzeporah Berman, the executive director for PowerUP Canada, said the Bear Mountain wind park is an important source of clean energy and jobs for B.C.
"There is no question that the future lies in clean energy projects,'' she said.
Comprised of 34 windmill towers, B.C.'s new wind farm has the capacity to produce 102 megawatts, or enough electricity for 38,000 homes and has begun delivering energy to the BC Hydro power grid.
The launch comes just one week after the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) rejected B.C. Hydro's plan to meet its long term energy needs by purchasing more electricity from independent power projects, or IPPs.
Related links: BCUC decision
In its ruling, the utilities commission said B.C. Hydro's long term acquisition plan is not in the public interest.
The decision sent stock prices of IPPs such as Plutonic Power Corp. tumbling.
However, B.C. Hydro spokeswoman Susan Danard said the BCUC announcement has no impact on the 50 independent projects which already supplying power to the grid, as well as another 40 which are in the development stage.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Gelareh Darabi
