Draft Renewable Energy Plan Presented to County Council

Thursday, 23 June 2016 06:13

Some Oxford County officials think we will see a 'really rapid shift' in the push for renewable energy with a new draft plan.

OXFORD COUNTY - A draft Renewable Energy Plan has been brought forward to County Council, one year after the county made a commitment to be 100% renewable by 2050.

The draft plan is based on internationally derived framework, which was developed in Kassel Germany with the help of 17 different countries.

Jay Heaman, Manager of Strategic Initiatives says having a specific standard will benefit the plan in the long run.

"We believe by adopting a standard, we are more likely to move our own 100% renewable agenda that much quicker. As we start to engage other municipalities from around the world we can all start to move that much quicker."

The plan focuses on knowledge generation with local municipalities and ministries, such as the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of the Environment. The plan also features multiple demonstration projects.

Here's a list of some of the demonstration projects:

- Solar Oxford Challenge
- Electric Vehicle Accessibility Plan
- Working with developers to find an opportunity for a net zero community and a zero waste community
- Working with companies that are trying to develop hydrogen from renewable energy

Heaman tells Heart FM he truly believes the county can become 100% renewable before 2050.

"We are starting to see the political and business push, that sense of urgency to move forward. We are also starting to see some really bright minds getting behind research and development of these sustainable technologies. So I think what you are going to see is this is going to be a really rapid shift. I think in Oxford we are fortunate that we are at the forefront of it."

Warden David Mayberry also sees renewable energy in the Oxford County's future.

"I think we all know that in the long run that renewable energy is our destiny, we are going there whether it is obvious to us all yet or not, we know that's where we've got to go."