By Doug Hadfield
In the last few years, investors in green energy will have noted the impact that calls for private sector power have had on some publicly traded companies. BC Hydro’s 2006 call for power had the notable effect of boosting Plutonic Power Corp. (TSX: PCC) from under $1 per share to its new trading range between $7.50 and $8.50. Read the rest of this entry »
“These aren’t simple solutions, nor will they be easy to implement. There will be plenty of setbacks, complications, and conflicts of interest along the way. But we either rise to the challenge or go the way of the dinosaur. It’s our choice. The vise is closing.”
This bit of wisdom from the desk of Walt McLaughlin, a blogger at Burlington Free Press.
The vice is indeed closing, and around the world you see a lot of inspiring calls to action, and even a lot of honest to goodness action. On the subject of alternative energy, news stories abound…. Read the rest of this entry »
Renewable energy companies in BC are jockeying for position in BC Hydro’s 2008 clean power call expected to be announced any time now. The call is an effort on BC Hydro’s part to align with the BC Energy Plan, which was released in February of 2007. The Plan mandates that as energy demand increases over the next couple of decades, BC should continue to generate 90% of its electricity from clean or renewable sources. Maintaining at 90% renewable electricity is a pretty steep goal, but the plan asks for more than that. It also stipulates that although BC is currently a net importer of electricity, by 2016 BC should be energy self-sufficient.
The US Energy Administration lauds Canada as a world leader in renewable energy. A full 60% of Canada’s electricity comes from renewable sources and, as a result, Canada enjoys the reputation of being renewable-friendly.
However, at the same time that geothermal energy is revealing itself to be one of the world’s most important solutions to meet increased energy demand, geothermal companies find BC a difficult place to develop projects. Experts point to factors including both the intractability of native land claims and stubborn geology. Also, the lack of government investment and incentives to support development of the important geothermal industry may be creating an impenetrable ceiling for the industry in this province.
Sierra Geothermal Power Corp (TSX.V:SGP) for example is a local geothermal company that has its corporate offices in Vancouver, but all its projects in Nevada.
Here’s a greener solution that’s taking off: Solar power.
ARISE Technologies’ (APV: TSX) share price took off a couple weeks ago in advance of several material press releases, including the recent announcement that the company has increased PV cell production plans by 56%, bolstered by increased production at its first ever, relatively brand spanking new production facility in Germany.
The company announced that it would increase PV cell production at the German plant to 560MW (annually) by 2012 from previous level of 360MW. This is due at least in part to the fact that the company will add a second production line at the facility by 2009. Read the rest of this entry »
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