MNO wins major green energy contracts

OTTAWA, Aug. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), together with its investment partners, announced today that it is set to become a long-term owner of commercial-scale solar projects, earning income over a 20-year period while helping generate clean electricity across the province.

As Ontario's clean energy economy continues to grow the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) offered 951 new Small Feed-in Tariff (FIT) renewable energy contracts. These contracts represent enough megawatts to power more than 21,000 homes. OPA published a list of new renewable energy projects to be offered contracts in response to the province's recent call for applications sized up to 500 Kilowatts (KW) each. This list is available at www.fit.powerauthority.on.ca.

Métis Nation of Ontario - BrightRoof Solar LP, a limited partnership formed between the MNO Solar Inc. and BrightRoof Solar, will be offered contracts for 36 FIT projects, with a combined generating capacity of approximately 8 MW AC.  As well, the partnership has a minority interest in a series of projects, with a combined generating capacity of approximately 7 MW AC, which will be also offered contracts.

"One of the Métis Nation's long-term goals is to be able to generate enough green energy for Ontario's electric system to meet the needs of every Métis household in the province," said MNO President Gary Lipinski. "This announcement puts us on the path to achieving this goal, while also creating training opportunities, jobs and wealth for Métis communities in the province."

"Ontario is committed to building a clean, modern and reliable electricity grid," said Hon. Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy. "This partnership is a significant opportunity for the Métis Nation of Ontario to become active participants in the province's clean energy future while creating sustainable economic development in their communities."

"Today's announcement marks the next step in what is already very strong and productive relationship with the MNO," said David Oxtoby, a director of BrightRoof Solar LP. "We look forward to working together to ensure that the portfolio of solar assets is well designed, well-constructed and well maintained over the 20-year operating life of the projects."

"On behalf of the Métis Nation, I want to thank the Ontario Government as well as our partner ― BrightRoof Solar LP ― for working with us to enable the Métis to play an important role in building this province's green energy economy," concluded President Lipinski.

SOURCE: METIS NATION OF ONTARIO

Mike Fedyk
MNO Director of Communications
Cell: 613-314-9402
mikef@Métisnation.org