The municipality is considering alternative energy, likely a solar project, in order to meet some of Summerland’s electrical needs.
Tami Rothery, sustainability and alternate energy coordinator for the municipality, said the community is looking at the potential to supplement Summerland’s electrical power.
At present, Summerland Power purchases power from FortisBC and resells it to electrical users. Summerland is one of only a few B.C. communities to manage its electrical power in this way.
“Right now we receive 100 per cent of our supply of electricity from Fortis,” said Linda Tynan, chief administrative officer for the municipality.
She said augmenting the electricity would reduce Summerland’s peak demand, thereby reducing its costs throughout the year.
The electricity generated from a proposed alternate energy project would feed into the power grid.
Within the province, solar generating projects are already in place in Nelson and Lower Nicola.
Elsewhere, solar energy is being used around the world.
The closest out-of-province solar projects are in Washington and Oregon.
Tynan said these projects provide models for Summerland to use in generating electricity here.
Rothery will examine the feasibility of an alternative energy project for the community, along with the size and possible location of an electrical project.
Once the study is completed, it will be presented to municipal council. The report is expected before the end of December.