DAUPHIN, MANITOBA–(CCNMatthews – May 17, 2007) – SkyPower Corp. and Manitoba-based Mossey River Energy have announced the creation of the Parkland Wind Community Program and the Parkland Wind Power Foundation.
The Parkland Wind Community Program is designed to share the economic benefits of clean renewable wind power generation in the Parkland Region of Manitoba with a broad range of constituents in the community. The Program consists primarily of three philanthropic initiatives: an Educational Grants & Scholarship Program; a Regional Community Grants Program; and an Equity Sharing Program that economically supports not-for-profit and charitable organizations that provide environmental, educational, youth / children and underprivileged community services in the Parkland Region of Manitoba.
The Parkland Wind Power Foundation has been created to administrate and facilitate the Parkland Wind Community Program. Members of the Board of the Foundation will consist of Parkland Region representatives and project partners.
On hand for the Parkland Wind Power Foundation announcement on May 11th in Dauphin were representatives from each of the organizations and programs participating in the Parkland Wind Equity Sharing Program, including Breakfast for Learning, the Elks, Kinsmen, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Parkland Crossing and Parkland Library.
Mayor Gloria Kostenyk of the Village of Winnipegosis voiced her approval of the Parkland Wind Power Foundation during the announcement, stating that “the economic spin-offs to the village of Winnipegosis, the surrounding area, and to nine charitable or not-for-profit groups within our community would be immeasurable”. Parkland Region MLA’s Rosann Wowchuk and Stan Struthers.and Reeve Ron Kostyshyn of Mossey River were also on hand to support wind power development in the Parkland Region, a province-wide initiative promised a week earlier by Premier Gary Doer.
Kerry Adler, Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower, states “Coast to coast, our company recognizes the importance of creating value for the local community when developing renewable power projects. SkyPower continues to demonstrate its commitment to building strong relationships and creating social benefits through local partnerships and programs. We are proud of the launch of the Parklands Wind Power Foundation, a unique industry-leading example for wind and solar projects which will be built across the country.”
Ed Pakulak, SkyPower Project Development Associate Western Canada adds, “Mossey River Energy’s primary objective has been to develop the local economy through financial investment and local job creation associated with the construction and operation of a commercial wind park. The additional value created by the Parklands Wind Community Program goes even further to support our economically stressed region.”
SkyPower Corp . is Canada’s leading independent renewable energy developer with interests in over fifty wind power projects and eight solar parks at varying stages of development which in totality represents in excess of 7,000MW of capacity. SkyPower also administers the SkyPower Wind Energy Fund LP, the largest renewable energy fund in Canada which manages the 171MW Terrawinds Project in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec.
Mossey River Energy is a privately held partnership representing a consortium of local land owners, and owned by Mossey River residents who have been actively researching, assessing and coordinating local efforts to help bring the Parklands Wind Project to the development stage.