Elliot Lake vying to be site of innovative Samsung-led renewable energy project: City awaits confirmation on provincial funding.

AuthorKelly, Lindsay
PositionNEWS

An opportunity for the City of Elliot Lake to partner with Samsung Renewable Energy on an innovative pilot project could be in jeopardy if the province reneges on funding promised by the previous government.

In April, the city and Samsung signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a multi-million-dollar, three-phase initiative that would position Elliot Lake as a test community to trial Samsung's green energy capture and storage technology.

Elliot Lake Mayor Dan Marchisella said a dialogue with Samsung officials began about two years ago when the company was attracted to Elliot Lake for its small population and cold climate.

In phase one of the project, solar energy would power a brand-new, $41-million multi-purpose recreation centre, including a new arena, a pool, a curling pad, a small gym and walking area, and a multi-purpose space for community events. Part of the project would look at storing any energy generated in large batteries.

"Phase one would have really, really highlighted (Samsung's) capacity for technology and engineering," he said.

"We had the opportunity to look at some of the other designs and builds they've done elsewhere in the world, and it's absolutely mind-blowing because you don't see construction like that in North America at all."

For phase two, the partnership would look at powering other city-owned facilities with renewable energy.

Phase three would involve setting up smart grids throughout the city, essentially creating a self sufficient community.

The entire three-phase initiative is expected to take up to 10 years to realize, with the community serving as an example of how well Samsung's technology could perform in a Northern climate.

"Basically, if you can do it here, you can do these projects anywhere," Marchisella said.

In May, after more than three years of travelling back and forth to Toronto to pitch its proposal to government officials, the city was elated when the province announced it would invest up to $13.7 million toward the total cost of the recreation complex as part of the 2018 Budget.

"Rather than them committing out of one of the different purses, the province decided to put a handful of projects that they saw as massive priority projects that need to get done right in the budget as line items, and ours was one of them," Marchisella said. "So it was very exciting for the community to hear that."

With the provincial component secured, the federal government was anticipated to announce this...

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