Samsung and Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure Commence Construction on Windsor Solar, Creating Jobs and Investment in Ontario

HUNDREDS OF ONTARIO WORKERS WILL BE INVOLVED IN PROJECT CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURING

WINDSOR, ON, April 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Samsung Renewable Energy, Inc. (Samsung) and Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure (CC&L Infrastructure) today broke ground on the Windsor Solar project. The 50 megawatt (MW) solar project will use Ontario-made panels and inverters to generate clean, renewable energy equal to the needs of approximately 8,500 Ontario homes each year.

"I am delighted to welcome a project that not only brings a green energy investment to the airport lands but additional revenue to the City as well," said Mayor Drew Dilkens. "The Windsor Solar Project is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when government and the private sector work together."

"Samsung is thankful to become part of this supportive community in Windsor and is proud to start construction on our third Ontario solar energy project," said Mr. Steve Cho, Vice President, Samsung C&T. "The Windsor solar project will create hundreds of high-skilled jobs that will benefit real people in this community."

"Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure is pleased to be participating in this significant solar project, the third such initiative in the province between Samsung and CC&L Infrastructure, added Matt O'Brien, President of CC&L Infrastructure.  "We would like to extend our thanks to the City of Windsor for its strong support of the project, which will generate significant economic benefits for the community in the years to come."

Workers and subcontractors from across Southwestern Ontario will be involved in every aspect of the Windsor Solar project – from manufacture and assembly of the panels and inverters to site construction, installation work and project operations. Windsor Solar will utilize approximately 193,000 Ontario-made solar panels from Canadian Solar in London and solar inverters from SMA America in Don Mills.

There will be approximately 225 workers in total on-site throughout project construction and 175 workers during peak construction periods. Local subcontractors will be involved in various aspects of project construction.

Scheduled for completion in the fall of 2016, Windsor Solar will allow Ontario to continue to move away from its dependence on coal energy production. Compared to coal-fired generation, the project will offset approximately 81,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, the equivalent of taking nearly 15,000 cars off the roads.

Over the course of its 20-year power purchase agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the Windsor Solar project will support the local economy with more than $18 million in local investment, including significant funding for community initiatives, a contribution to a Community Vibrancy Fund, and taxes paid to the local municipality.

About Samsung Renewable Energy, Inc.

Samsung Renewable Energy is creating clean, renewable energy for generations to come. Together with our partners, Samsung is making a $5-billion investment in Ontario to create the world's largest cluster of wind and solar power. Our investments will create 900 direct renewable energy manufacturing jobs and 9,000 high-skilled indirect jobs in Ontario. Built on Samsung C&T's commercial and technical expertise and the success of its renewable energy projects in several countries – including the United States and Europe – Samsung is creating real jobs, through real investment, benefitting real people. For more information, please visit www.samsungrenewableenergy.ca.

About Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure

Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure invests in middle-market infrastructure and infrastructure-like assets with highly attractive risk-return characteristics, long lives and the potential to generate stable cash flow. Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure is part of Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd., a multi-boutique asset management firm whose affiliates collectively manage over $63 billion in assets. For more information, please visit www.cclinfrastructure.com.

SOURCE Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure

Carol Mitchell, Principal, Counsel Public Affairs, [phone], [email protected]; Greig McKenzie, Chief Marketing Officer, Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd., [phone], [email protected]