Prince Edward Island’s Energy Resources
Prince Edward Island is a province rich with renewable energy resources. Its electricity distribution system has a total generating capacity of 424 Megawatts (MW) and the province is largely reliant on imported energy from New Brunswick, especially during the winter heating season. The province is aiming for a net-zero electricity grid by 2040, its energy is currently produced by assets like windfarms, thermal plants, biomass facilities, district energy systems, alongside solar projects, and a clean tech park under development. The primary utility is PEI Energy Corporation, owned by the province, alongside other local utilities like Maritime Electric, etc.
Click the icons on the map to explore Prince Edward Island’s total energy infrastructure and access descriptions for each.
Click on each location to learn more.
Community Biomass Plants - 12.4 MW
Prince Edward Island leads Atlantic Canada in community-based biomass heating applications. There are 31 plants currently serving 49 institutional and commercial buildings in rural communities across PEI, with a total serving output of 12.4 MW.
The Government of PEI has also been a national leader in establishing operating standards for the low-pressure steel biomass boilers and has determined that pressure vessels fabricated to European (P.E.D.) standards have a level of safety comparable to existing North America (ASME) boiler standards.
Forest feedstock used to produce biomass heat in PEI must be harvested sustainably from woodlots with a registered forest management plan. Forestry products used to produce biomass heat include firewood, wood chips and sawdust. Biomass applications contribute to the Island’s decarbonization and energy independence efforts at the community level.
PEI- NB Bi-Directional Transmission Interconnects - 560 MW
In total, there are four sub-sea cables (two old and two new) with different connectivity points in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. These cables are bi-directional so New Brunswick’s energy resources can help power the island, and the island’s windpower can provide energy to New Brunswick if needed when a surplus occurs. The new cables connect from Cape Tormentine, NB to Borden, PEI (2 x 180MW) and the old ones from Murray Corner, NB to Fernwood, PEI (2 x 100MW) which total 560 MW.
In 2016/17, Maritime Electric (in partnership with NB Power) acted as construction agents in a collaborative partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward to build two new 180-MW submarine cables, overhead transmission lines and substation upgrades. The new submarine cables are owned by the PEI Energy Corporation and are leased to and operated by Maritime Electric.
The two new submarine cables provide incremental transmission capacity and reliability benefits for the Island and allow for significantly increased energy imports from New Brunswick and NB Power and the export of surplus renewable energy from PEI to the mainland. The new transmission cables complement the two legacy PEI-NB 100-MW interconnects owned by the Government of Prince Edward Island.
West Cape - 99 MW
Since 2009, the West Cape wind farm, located in western Prince Edward Island, has been operating with a total capacity of 99 MW. The West Cape wind facility consists of two phases with a total nameplate capacity of 99 MW. Phase, I and II of West Cape, operate 11 and 44 Vestas V90 1.8 MW – IEC Class II wind turbines with a nameplate capacity of 19.8 MW and 79.2 MW, respectively mounted on tubular towers with a hub height of 80 meters. ENGIE North America operates the West Cape Wind Farm.
Hermanville-Clearspring - 30 MW
The Hermanville/Clearspring Wind Farm generates more than 100 million kilowatt-hours of emission-free electricity for Prince Edward Island each year, powering 12,500 homes on PEI. The Wind Farm has ten Acciona AW-3000/116 turbines that can each generate 3 MW of electricity. The wind farm is owned and operated by the PEI Energy Corporation and was commissioned in 2014 with a total capacity of 30 MW. The site accounted for roughly $20 million in local construction contracts during 2013 and continues to support local residents through a community development fund.
Tignish District Energy System - ( 0.5 MW Heating)
The Town of Tignish, PEI is doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint with a new district heating system. The wood chip boiler and heating system provides heat energy to 10 buildings in the town, including three seniors homes, Tignish Elementary, the post office, the Provincial Sign Shop, the Heritage Inn, the Cultural Centre, the Dalton Annex and the local Co-op store. The $1.1 million dollar project was spearheaded by Tignish Initiatives, a non-profit community economic development corporation. The federal and provincial governments contributed $752,540 to the project through the New Building Canada Fund with Tignish Initiatives financing the balance, nearly $400,000, to complete the project.
The district heating system replaces 200,000 litres of furnace oil with renewable energy sourced from approximately 500 tonnes of locally sourced wood chips. It is estimated that over a 20-year period the district heating system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on PEI by approximately 15,000 metric tonnes. The Tignish District Energy System is designed to expand to include additional community buildings.
Tignish District Energy System - ( 0.5 MW Heating)
The Town of Tignish, PEI is doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint with a new district heating system. The wood chip boiler and heating system provides heat energy to 10 buildings in the town, including three seniors homes, Tignish Elementary, the post office, the Provincial Sign Shop, the Heritage Inn, the Cultural Centre, the Dalton Annex and the local Co-op store. The $1.1 million dollar project was spearheaded by Tignish Initiatives, a non-profit community economic development corporation. The federal and provincial governments contributed $752,540 to the project through the New Building Canada Fund with Tignish Initiatives financing the balance, nearly $400,000, to complete the project.
The district heating system replaces 200,000 litres of furnace oil with renewable energy sourced from approximately 500 tonnes of locally sourced wood chips. It is estimated that over a 20-year period the district heating system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on PEI by approximately 15,000 metric tonnes. The Tignish District Energy System is designed to expand to include additional community buildings.
Community Biomass Plants - 12.4 MW
Prince Edward Island leads Atlantic Canada in community-based biomass heating applications. There are 31 plants currently serving 49 institutional and commercial buildings in rural communities across PEI, with a total serving output of 12.4 MW.
The Government of PEI has also been a national leader in establishing operating standards for the low-pressure steel biomass boilers and has determined that pressure vessels fabricated to European (P.E.D.) standards have a level of safety comparable to existing North America (ASME) boiler standards.
Forest feedstock used to produce biomass heat in PEI must be harvested sustainably from woodlots with a registered forest management plan. Forestry products used to produce biomass heat include firewood, wood chips and sawdust. Biomass applications contribute to the Island’s decarbonization and energy independence efforts at the community level.
East Point - 30 MW
The East Point Wind Farm, commissioned in 2007, has 10 Vestas V-90 turbines with a capacity of 3 MW each that generate an average of 90 Gigawatt (GW) hours annually. The average house in Prince Edward Island uses about 8,000-kilowatt hours of electricity annually, so the wind farm can power 11,000 homes per year. Each year, landowners in proximity to the wind farm receive 2.5 percent of the wind farm’s gross revenue. The East Point Wind Farm is located in rural King’s County on the northeastern tip of the Island and is owned and operated by the PEI Energy Corporation.
North Cape- 10.6 MW
The North Cape Wind Farm was constructed after environmental and regulatory approvals were met. The construction took place over two phases, with eight turbines commissioned in November 2001 and eight more added in November 2003. Each Vestas V-47 turbine at the North Cape Wind Farm has a generating capacity of 660 kilowatts, the equivalent of 11,000 light bulbs. The North Cape wind farm is owned and operated by the PEI Energy Corporation and has a total capacity of 10.6 MW.
Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) Research and Development Park - 10 MW
The WEICan laboratory features a 10-MW Wind R&D Park, 223 kWh of storage, 109 kW of bifacial and monofacial PV, meteorological towers and a small wind testbed, as well as other facilities. These, in addition to the organization’s extensive data sets and experienced personnel, provide opportunities for government, public/private sector companies and academia to research, demonstrate, test and validate technologies and concepts in a real-world setting. The WEICan facility is home to DeWind AG wind turbines.
Norway - 9 MW
Operational since 2007 and located on Prince Edward Island, the Norway wind facility has a total nameplate capacity of 9 MW. Norway operates three Vestas V-90 3.0 MW – IEC Class II turbines mounted on tubular towers with a hub height of 80 meters. The Norway wind farm is operated by ENGIE North America.
Aeolus - 3 MW
Located in Norway, PEI and owned and operated by the PEI Energy Corporation. The Aeolus windfarm was commissioned in 2003 with a total capacity of 3 MW. The wind farm consists of a single Vestas V-90 demonstration turbine.
Summerside Solar Energy Farm & Battery Storage Facility - 21 MW (in 2022)
The project involves the construction of a new 21-megawatt solar farm and a battery storage facility for 2022. This renewable energy source will improve the energy efficiency of the City of Summerside. The project will allow the city to meet 62 percent of its electricity needs through renewable energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 21,000 tonnes per year.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $26.3 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Prince Edward Island is contributing over $21.9 million, with the City of Summerside providing the balance of the funding.
Slemon Park Microgrid Project – 10 MW (in 2022)
The Governments of Canada and PEI have invested a total of $25 million to fund a project to generate and store solar power in Slemon Park, located just outside of Summerside. Slemon Park is a business park and residential community located on the former site of CFB Summerside, which closed in 1989. The project consists of a 10-megawatt solar array, and energy storage in the form of utility-scale, industrial, and residential battery systems. Known as the Slemon Park microgrid project, it will cover 40 hectares and is expected to increase renewable energy use on P.E.I. by 3.5 percent. The project will be operated by the PEI Energy Corporation and is designed to contribute to the Island’s energy independence and reduce GHG emissions.
Charlottetown Thermal Generating Station - 89 MW
Maritime Electric’s Charlottetown Thermal Generating Station, also known as “the Plant,” is at the end of its useful life and its five heavy oil-fired thermal generation units will be decomissioned from service. The Company received approval from the Island Regulatory and Approvals Commission (IRAC) to decommission the Plant, and this work is scheduled for 2022 and 2023.
The Plant site will remain an important energy hub, as it also contains: (i) a 50-megawatt diesel-fired combustion turbine; (ii) a substation that serves the electrical load of the eastern side of Charlottetown and areas east of the City; and (iii) the Company’s Energy Control Centre (ECC), which operates PEI’s electricity grid, energy scheduling and after-hours customer service response.
2 Solar Projects – 31 MW
Summerside Solar Energy Farm & Battery Storage Facility - 21 MW (in 2022)
The project involves the construction of a new 21-megawatt solar farm and a battery storage facility for 2022. This renewable energy source will improve the energy efficiency of the City of Summerside. The project will allow the city to meet 62 percent of its electricity needs through renewable energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 21,000 tonnes per year.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $26.3 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Prince Edward Island is contributing over $21.9 million, with the City of Summerside providing the balance of the funding.
Slemon Park Microgrid Project – 10 MW (in 2022)
The Governments of Canada and PEI have invested a total of $25 million to fund a project to generate and store solar power in Slemon Park, located just outside of Summerside. Slemon Park is a business park and residential community located on the former site of CFB Summerside, which closed in 1989. The project consists of a 10-megawatt solar array, and energy storage in the form of utility-scale, industrial, and residential battery systems. Known as the Slemon Park microgrid project, it will cover 40 hectares and is expected to increase renewable energy use on P.E.I. by 3.5 percent. The project will be operated by the PEI Energy Corporation and is designed to contribute to the Island’s energy independence and reduce GHG emissions.
Borden Generating Station – 40 MW
The Borden Generating Station has two diesel-fired combustion turbines with a combined capacity of 40 MW. The Borden Generating Station is located in the Borden-Carleton region and is owned by Maritime Electric. The plant is primarily used during periods of peak demand or when the power supply from the mainline is impaired.
Borden Generating Station – 40 MW
The Borden Generating Station has two diesel-fired combustion turbines with a combined capacity of 40 MW. The Borden Generating Station is located in the Borden-Carleton region and is owned by Maritime Electric. The plant is primarily used during periods of peak demand or when the power supply from the mainline is impaired.
PEI- NB Bi-Directional Transmission Interconnects - 560 MW
In total, there are four sub-sea cables (two old and two new) with different connectivity points in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. These cables are bi-directional so New Brunswick’s energy resources can help power the island, and the island’s windpower can provide energy to New Brunswick if needed when a surplus occurs. The new cables connect from Cape Tormentine, NB to Borden, PEI (2 x 180MW) and the old ones from Murray Corner, NB to Fernwood, PEI (2 x 100MW) which total 560 MW.
In 2016/17, Maritime Electric (in partnership with NB Power) acted as construction agents in a collaborative partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward to build two new 180-MW submarine cables, overhead transmission lines and substation upgrades. The new submarine cables are owned by the PEI Energy Corporation and are leased to and operated by Maritime Electric.
The two new submarine cables provide incremental transmission capacity and reliability benefits for the Island and allow for significantly increased energy imports from New Brunswick and NB Power and the export of surplus renewable energy from PEI to the mainland. The new transmission cables complement the two legacy PEI-NB 100-MW interconnects owned by the Government of Prince Edward Island.
Summerside Generating Station – 15 MW
Summerside Electric owns and operates a diesel-fired electrical generating station located on Ottawa Street in Summerside, PEI. The generating station is essentially used for backup if the community’s energy supply is interrupted.
Summerside Wind Farm - 12 MW
The Summerside Wind Farm was commissioned by the City of Summerside, PEI and Summerside Electric in 2009 with four 3.0-MW Vestas wind turbines and a total generation capacity of 12 megawatts. Summerside Electric purchases sells, produces, transmits, and distributes electricity. The municipal utility has more than 7,000 commercial and residential customers and sells surplus renewable power to NB Power.
Summerside Wind Farm - 12 MW
The Summerside Wind Farm was commissioned by the City of Summerside, PEI and Summerside Electric in 2009 with four 3.0-MW Vestas wind turbines and a total generation capacity of 12 megawatts. Summerside Electric purchases sells, produces, transmits, and distributes electricity. The municipal utility has more than 7,000 commercial and residential customers and sells surplus renewable power to NB Power.
Summerside Generating Station – 15 MW
Summerside Electric owns and operates a diesel-fired electrical generating station located on Ottawa Street in Summerside, PEI. The generating station is essentially used for backup if the community’s energy supply is interrupted.
Summerside Solar Energy Farm & Battery Storage Facility - 21 MW (in 2022)
The project involves the construction of a new 21-megawatt solar farm and a battery storage facility for 2022. This renewable energy source will improve the energy efficiency of the City of Summerside. The project will allow the city to meet 62 percent of its electricity needs through renewable energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 21,000 tonnes per year.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $26.3 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Prince Edward Island is contributing over $21.9 million, with the City of Summerside providing the balance of the funding.
Community Biomass Plants - 12.4 MW
Prince Edward Island leads Atlantic Canada in community-based biomass heating applications. There are 31 plants currently serving 49 institutional and commercial buildings in rural communities across PEI, with a total serving output of 12.4 MW.
The Government of PEI has also been a national leader in establishing operating standards for the low-pressure steel biomass boilers and has determined that pressure vessels fabricated to European (P.E.D.) standards have a level of safety comparable to existing North America (ASME) boiler standards.
Forest feedstock used to produce biomass heat in PEI must be harvested sustainably from woodlots with a registered forest management plan. Forestry products used to produce biomass heat include firewood, wood chips and sawdust. Biomass applications contribute to the Island’s decarbonization and energy independence efforts at the community level.
Charlottetown District Energy Project - ( 33 MW Heating)
Prince Edward Island is home to Canada’s longest-running, privately operated, biomass-fired district heating system. Operating since the 1980s, the system serves a mix of 145 residential, commercial and institutional buildings in the downtown core of Charlottetown, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI), local schools and several privately-owned buildings:
Customer Average MWh Portion of Energy Use QEH 50,800 35% UPEI 30,200 21% DTI 5,300 4% Schools 4,600 3% Private 55,600 38% Total 146,500 The project is an excellent example of how provincial energy concerns and municipal waste management issues can be addressed by district energy systems while also contributing to the establishment of a local waste-wood fuel-supply market. PEI has pioneered the use of wood chips to supplement energy from waste systems. The current district heating system in Charlottetown uses wood chips for approximately 30% of their fuel requirements.
The project includes over 18-km of hot water and steam distribution pipeline infrastructure and is owned and operated by Enwave Energy Corporation.
Charlottetown District Energy Project - ( 33 MW Heating)
Prince Edward Island is home to Canada’s longest-running, privately operated, biomass-fired district heating system. Operating since the 1980s, the system serves a mix of 145 residential, commercial and institutional buildings in the downtown core of Charlottetown, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI), local schools and several privately-owned buildings:
Customer Average MWh Portion of Energy Use QEH 50,800 35% UPEI 30,200 21% DTI 5,300 4% Schools 4,600 3% Private 55,600 38% Total 146,500 The project is an excellent example of how provincial energy concerns and municipal waste management issues can be addressed by district energy systems while also contributing to the establishment of a local waste-wood fuel-supply market. PEI has pioneered the use of wood chips to supplement energy from waste systems. The current district heating system in Charlottetown uses wood chips for approximately 30% of their fuel requirements.
The project includes over 18-km of hot water and steam distribution pipeline infrastructure and is owned and operated by Enwave Energy Corporation.
Charlottetown Thermal Generating Station - 89 MW
Maritime Electric’s Charlottetown Thermal Generating Station, also known as “the Plant,” is at the end of its useful life and its five heavy oil-fired thermal generation units will be decomissioned from service. The Company received approval from the Island Regulatory and Approvals Commission (IRAC) to decommission the Plant, and this work is scheduled for 2022 and 2023.
The Plant site will remain an important energy hub, as it also contains: (i) a 50-megawatt diesel-fired combustion turbine; (ii) a substation that serves the electrical load of the eastern side of Charlottetown and areas east of the City; and (iii) the Company’s Energy Control Centre (ECC), which operates PEI’s electricity grid, energy scheduling and after-hours customer service response.
Community Biomass Plants - 12.4 MW
Prince Edward Island leads Atlantic Canada in community-based biomass heating applications. There are 31 plants currently serving 49 institutional and commercial buildings in rural communities across PEI, with a total serving output of 12.4 MW.
The Government of PEI has also been a national leader in establishing operating standards for the low-pressure steel biomass boilers and has determined that pressure vessels fabricated to European (P.E.D.) standards have a level of safety comparable to existing North America (ASME) boiler standards.
Forest feedstock used to produce biomass heat in PEI must be harvested sustainably from woodlots with a registered forest management plan. Forestry products used to produce biomass heat include firewood, wood chips and sawdust. Biomass applications contribute to the Island’s decarbonization and energy independence efforts at the community level.
8 Wind Farms – 203.6 MWs
The eight wind farms in the province provide 203.6 MWs of renewable energy capacity, generating about 25 per cent of Prince Edward Island’s electricity supply. PEI has a total peak electrical load of over 285 megawatts.
Wind energy supports PEI’s decarbonization efforts, helps keep energy prices low for Islanders and reduces PEI’s need for energy sources from outside the province. However, PEI does not have in-province oil or natural gas sources and relies on electricity imports from New Brunswick to meet its grid reliability, electricity supply, and wind balancing requirements.
3 Thermal Generating Stations - 144 MW
Charlottetown Thermal Generating Station - 89 MW
Maritime Electric’s Charlottetown Thermal Generating Station, also known as “the Plant,” is at the end of its useful life and its five heavy oil-fired thermal generation units will be decomissioned from service. The Company received approval from the Island Regulatory and Approvals Commission (IRAC) to decommission the Plant, and this work is scheduled for 2022 and 2023.
The Plant site will remain an important energy hub, as it also contains: (i) a 50-megawatt diesel-fired combustion turbine; (ii) a substation that serves the electrical load of the eastern side of Charlottetown and areas east of the City; and (iii) the Company’s Energy Control Centre (ECC), which operates PEI’s electricity grid, energy scheduling and after-hours customer service response.
Borden Generating Station – 40 MW
The Borden Generating Station has two diesel-fired combustion turbines with a combined capacity of 40 MW. The Borden Generating Station is located in the Borden-Carleton region and is owned by Maritime Electric. The plant is primarily used during periods of peak demand or when the power supply from the mainline is impaired.
Summerside Generating Station – 15 MW
Summerside Electric owns and operates a diesel-fired electrical generating station located on Ottawa Street in Summerside, PEI. The generating station is essentially used for backup if the community’s energy supply is interrupted.
Tignish District Energy System - ( 0.5 MW Heating)
The Town of Tignish, PEI is doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint with a new district heating system. The wood chip boiler and heating system provides heat energy to 10 buildings in the town, including three seniors homes, Tignish Elementary, the post office, the Provincial Sign Shop, the Heritage Inn, the Cultural Centre, the Dalton Annex and the local Co-op store. The $1.1 million dollar project was spearheaded by Tignish Initiatives, a non-profit community economic development corporation. The federal and provincial governments contributed $752,540 to the project through the New Building Canada Fund with Tignish Initiatives financing the balance, nearly $400,000, to complete the project.
The district heating system replaces 200,000 litres of furnace oil with renewable energy sourced from approximately 500 tonnes of locally sourced wood chips. It is estimated that over a 20-year period the district heating system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on PEI by approximately 15,000 metric tonnes. The Tignish District Energy System is designed to expand to include additional community buildings.
Charlottetown District Energy Project - ( 33 MW Heating)
Prince Edward Island is home to Canada’s longest-running, privately operated, biomass-fired district heating system. Operating since the 1980s, the system serves a mix of 145 residential, commercial and institutional buildings in the downtown core of Charlottetown, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI), local schools and several privately-owned buildings:
Customer Average MWh Portion of Energy Use QEH 50,800 35% UPEI 30,200 21% DTI 5,300 4% Schools 4,600 3% Private 55,600 38% Total 146,500 The project is an excellent example of how provincial energy concerns and municipal waste management issues can be addressed by district energy systems while also contributing to the establishment of a local waste-wood fuel-supply market. PEI has pioneered the use of wood chips to supplement energy from waste systems. The current district heating system in Charlottetown uses wood chips for approximately 30% of their fuel requirements.
The project includes over 18-km of hot water and steam distribution pipeline infrastructure and is owned and operated by Enwave Energy Corporation.
Clean-Energy Assets: (247 MW)
Wind: (203.6 MW)- West Cape - 99 MW
- Hermanville/Clearspring - 30 MW
- East Point - 30 MW
- Summerside - 12 MW
- North Cape - 10.6 MW
- WEICan R&D - 10 MW
- Norway - 9 MW
- Aeolus- 3 MW
- Summerside Solar Energy Farm & Battery Storage Facility (Summerside) – 21 MW
- Slemon Park Microgrid Project (Slemon) – 10 MW
- Summerside - 6 plants - 3470 kW
- Charlottetown - 6 plants - 1780 kW
- O’Leary - 2 plants - 1190 kW
- Elmsdale - 2 plants - 1080 kW
- Alberton - 2 plants - 740 kW
- Cornwall - 3 plants - 600 kW
- Kensington - 1 plant - 540 kW
- Wellington - 1 plant - 540 KW
- Stratford - 1 plant - 500 kW
- Montague - 1 plant - 500 kW
- Souris - 2 plants - 400 kW
- Brackley - 1 plant - 300 kW
- Hampshire - 1 plant - 300 kW
- Miscouche - 1 plant - 300 kW
- Morell - 1 plant - 100 kW
- Tignish - 1 plant - 85 kW
PEI-NB Bi-Directional Transmission Interconnects: (560 MW)
- Murray Corner, NB to Fernwood, PEI (2 x 100MW)
- Cape Tormentine, NB to Borden, PEI (2 x 180MW)
District Energy System: (33 MW)
- Charlottetown District Energy Project - 33 MW Heating
- Tignish District Energy System – 0.5 MW Heating
Diesel Gas Assets: (144 MW)
Thermal Generation: (144 MW)- Charlottetown Thermal Generating Station - 89 MW
- Borden Generating Station – 40 MW
- Summerside Generating Station – 15 MW