Site preparations are commencing for the $68 million Summerside Sunbank project which is situated on an 80-acre parcel of land in Summerside, Prince Edward Island (PEI).
The site consists of 50 acres of municipal infrastructure land, and 30 acres of vegetation and treed lands owned by the city. In order to facilitate the construction of the solar array and associated infrastructure, approvals have been granted to the city to begin clearing the lands in January 2021, with work to be completed by April of 2021.
The city has completed the environmental screening process as required under the provincial legislation administered by the PEI Department of Environment. Given the city’s stewardship in renewable and sustainable environments, there will be replanting of 30 acres of new lands to compensate for the removal of vegetation during construction.
“The City of Summerside is progressing towards becoming a net zero community when it comes to its carbon footprint. Expanding our renewable energy generation and ensuring we do so in a responsible manner is one of our top priorities,” said Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart.
“This site preparation will be the start of an extensive two-year long project which has an objective to lower our carbon footprint, lessen our dependence on imported electricity and create economic opportunities for our community to grow in a more renewable economy,” adds Stewart.
