A new independent power project in Brantford, Ontario is expected to deliver millions of dollars in savings for its host customer, possibly setting an example for many other customers on how to reduce electricity costs.
Neil Freeman, Vice President of Business Development with Public Energy, announced the delivery of a pre-engineered, fully "containerized", behind-the-meter distributed generation package on March 24. The project, which will produce 1 MW of baseload power from a Siemens natural gas genset, is slated to be in operation within weeks. Citing the recently signed 10 year contract that provides the host with dependable supply at fixed electricity prices, Mr. Freeman stresses that, “Public Energy is improving the operating cost economics for Ontario businesses.” Under the terms of the contract with Public Energy, the customer pays for electricity only. Capital and operating cost of the equipment is covered by Public Energy.
“Onsite power below the cost of the grid is here!” Mr. Freeman proclaimed, highlighting the potential for many other customers to set up similar installations. APPrO and others have often pointed to the fact that growing numbers of customers are able to generate their own power reliably at lower cost than that from the provincial grid using distributed generation. With gas prices at record lows and the cost of power for commercial customers on the rise, such installations are likely to be increasingly attractive. “Public Energy is delivering baseload or peak avoidance resources designed to our customers’ specific operating and regulatory requirements, whatever the jurisdiction,” he said.
Mr. Freeman notes that the benefits of a project like this include:
• Significant annual savings versus reliance on grid for all requirements even after carbon tax and paying grid charges
• 10-year agreement provides savings in the millions
• Increased customer power reliability
• Savings provide valuable contribution to offsetting Covid-19 revenue losses.
“Our behind-the-meter solution which is cheaper than the grid will help keep Ontario competitive,” said John Douglas, Chairman of Public Energy Inc. Public Energy Inc. is an Ontario based company that designs, installs, operates, finances and maintains commercial distributed energy generation and storage systems with a focus on industrial customers. Their systems can include a solar photovoltaic component which of course improves the carbon footprint.
Many readers will know Mr. Freeman from his years of service as the Vice-President of Business Development with Horizon Utilities Corporation from 2007 to 2017 prior to when it was merged with Alectra.
“Public Energy is creating an avenue to protect manufacturing in Ontario and stay competitive with sister plants and direct competitors in the United States,” Mr. Freeman says.
For more information see https://publicenergyinc.com/