With funding help from the federal government, the Town of Lumsden’s solar projects will help reduce carbon emissions by 320 tonnes a year and over 13-thousand tonnes over the life of the project.
Through the Low Carbon Economy Fund, Lumsden is receiving $1.1-million to help with 4 solar power projects – a recycling centre, a waste water treatment plan and 2 sewage lift stations.
Mayor Bryan Matheson says Town Council is very aware of its environmental stewardship responsibilities and it’s important to the residents that Council make decisions that are sustainable.
He adds the solar project is one of the largest of its kind in Saskatchewan, and at 660 kilowatts, it’s 1 of the first in this province to provide energy to municipal utilities.
When complete, Lumsden will have the largest battery storage facility in Western Canada and the solar panels will provide at least 68 per cent of the electricity to operate the new treatment plant.
The other projects will be net-zero.
The solar array at the plant will be the size of 2 football fields.