12 new grants supporting a dozen community-owned clean energy projects in Ontario were announced by the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) today.
The Strathroy-Middlesex General Hospital Foundation is one of the recipients in this second round of CEPP grants. The Foundation plans to develop a long term funding strategy for the charity that offers the public the opportunity to be involved with planned solar projects through donations and possibly shares or bonds.
Another CEPP grant recipient is the Headwaters Renewable Energy Project, a solar cooperative project in Orangeville organized by local non-profit organization Reduce the Juice. Working with their local utility, the group has partnered with a number of like-minded regional organizations in preparation for a coop share offering to citizens to invest in, own and profit from the planned 250 kW photo-voltaic (PV) system.
These projects join the Boys & Girls Club in London, the new BurlingtonGreen solar power cooperative “BrightSky”, Water Power Group developments and 29 other clean energy projects being developed by citizens and groups across the province. Grants have been awarded to wind, waterpower, solar and bioenergy projects across the province, from Kapuskasing to Niagara, Domville to London.
To date, CEPP grants have been awarded to 33 projects in development by citizens, non-profits, co-operatives and charities from across Ontario. A total investment of $2.45 million in CEPP grants will be leveraged into a total $161 million investment in community-based renewable energy projects, enabling these power projects to proceed. The CEPP grants represent community projects totalling 44.36 MW of planned renewable power generation; this produces enough electricity each year to power 13,000 homes in the province.