Souris cold storage expansion powered by wind

A major expansion of freezer capacity is now underway in Souris.

Souris Harbour Authority says it is using wind power and a unique arrangement with Maritime Electric to make it all work.

Construction is now underway on the $2.5 million project in the Souris Food Park. This new addition means fishermen and blueberry growers across P.E.I. will be able to store an additional 2,000 metric tonnes of product.

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The harbour authority's250 kW wind turbine on site is helping offset the cost. Not only does it produce power for the freezers. The harbour authorityit is selling excess power back to Maritime Electric.

"That is a unique arrangement," said Denis Thibodeau, president and chief executive officer, Souris Harbour Authority.

"Depending on the wind and time of year, it produces and average of roughly 60,000 kilowatts a month and that feeds into lessening ourpowerbill to Maritime Electric and anything that we don't use above what we use to run the compressors, we sell to Maritime Electric."

The250kWturbine is large by private industry standards. Generally, private turbines produce 100 kW or less. On the windiest days, especially in winter when cold, dense air provides extra push, the big turbine produces more power than the freezers need, according to Thibodeau.

The harbour authority said total savings add up to about $70,000 a year.

More than 300 fishermen from all across P.E.I. currently store bait in the harbour authority's freezers in Souris. The expansion will increase capacity to more than 4,500 metric tonnes.

"They can store here versus taking their product to the mainland," said Thibodeau. "The economy betters byhavingemployment so that's good for eastern P.E.I."

Maritime Electric said it is willing to discuss similar arrangements with other owners of large turbines who generate more power than they use, according to a spokesperson.

The construction in Souris is on schedule for the new freezer space to be operational in August, according to Thibodeau.

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