Maritime Electric raises '112-megawatt problem,' as MLAs call for performance-based profits
CBC
Maritime Electric told P.E.I. politicians Thursday that by the end of the decade there will be a "112-megawatt problem" looming if the province doesn't create more on-Island power generation.
The current capacity for electric power in the province is 334 mw — 219 imported from New Brunswick by undersea cables, and 115 generated on the Island. But the need, Maritime Electric says, will grow to 446mw by 2030.
Without more ways to bring power into P.E.I. or generate it locally, the Island is facing a power deficit.
"We have a 112 megawatt problem very quickly approaching," said Jordan Sampson, an analyst with Maritime Electric.
"Today, in 2026, that capacity deficit is 70 megawatts. Even today, as we speak, that is a problem we are facing."
Maritime Electric data from Jan. 24 to 26 showed 69 consecutive hours where the demand was above 300 mw, with P.E.I. reaching a new all-time peak record of 404mw. The utility's combustion turbines were used 60 of those 69 hours.
Just last week, demand was at 364mw with zero megawatts of wind generated, Maritime Electric said. The turbines operated for 16 hours.
Maritime Electric used that data to further justify the need for the two additional 50mw combustion turbines it has applied to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission to purchase. IRAC has not yet made a decision on those, but it would add an additional 100mw of diesel-generated power on P.E.I.
Politicians fired back at Maritime Electric, questioning the application to purchase the turbines. Progressive Conservative MLA Brendan Curran said it was the result of poor planning from the utility, while Green MLA Peter Bevan-Baker said battery storage is a more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient choice.
In an interview after the meeting, Angus Orford, vice-president of corporate planning and energy supply with Maritime Electric, said every province in Atlantic Canada is in a "capacity crunch" and that each needs its own extra power generation to meet skyrocketing demand.
The problem aside from additional greenhouse gas emissions, MLAs said, is the price tag that comes with the two combustion turbines: $334 million.
"It's not something we're happy about. You want to have your product that is competitively priced, affordable.… It's of grave concern," Orford said.
"You see these types of costs that are coming, and the others that haven't materialized yet. It is a concern."
Maritime Electric officials were asked by Bevan-Baker whether the turbines — ProEnergy 6000s — would even work in P.E.I.'s cold-weather climate.
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