From left, Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers, UPEI Interim President Greg Keefe, Premier Dennis King, Holland College President Sandy MacDonald and Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Bloyce Thompson pose for a photo at the site of the new clean tech park project in Georgetown on Feb. 15. ContributedRafe Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

GEORGETOWN, P.E.I. — Ground has been broken on a new clean technology project, which the P.E.I. government plans to make the future home of clean innovation in the province. 

A 60-acre zone of tax-free land will be provided for clean technology companies as a destination and will include a 55,000-square-foot learning centre which will house the clean tech academy. 

The idea for the park has been in the works since 2019 after Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers visited the Samsø Energy Academy in Denmark, a leading research facility in the global fight against climate change. 

“The centre of the whole transition in Samsø was based on their energy academy which is where the experts of the changes were housed,” Myers told SaltWire Network during an interview on Feb. 15. 

“We started looking at what an energy academy could look like on P.E.I.,” he said. 

Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers and Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Bloyce Thompson observe the 55,000 square-foot space where the clean tech academy will stand. The academy will house UPEI and Holland College students through an exchange program. Contributed

The clean tech academy, as it is currently being called, will offer programs in clean tech education through a joint initiative with Holland College and UPEI, where students can receive a master’s degree upon graduation. 

“We think the payoffs will be there at the end of it with the opportunities it will create.” 

– Steven Myers

The academy will focus on technological invitations in clean technology, as opposed to the UPEI Climate Lab in St. Peters Bay, which is more focused on climate assessments. 

“Businesses can put their ideas into an incubator and students can figure them out – if it’s a new wind turbine or a new way to approach solar,” said Myers.

“Or the students can just do that themselves.” 

The academy is set to be completed in the fall of 2024 and will cost more than $50 million, a worthwhile investment for the province, Myers added. 

“We think the payoffs will be there at the end of it with the opportunities it will create,” he said. 

“We can find our own solutions that will help P.E.I. to get to our final targets, but they are also exportable solutions we can be able to send all over the world. Things we’re doing here on P.E.I. are going to spread all over the world.”

Some of the clean technologies likely to be expanded at the new facility will include: 

• Wind power

• Solar energy

• Hydrogen generation
 

Greg Keefe, UPEI interim president, told SaltWire Network during an interview on Feb. 22 the new facility is a big step forward for the university’s climate change department. 

“It’s exciting to see this project advance as the transition to clean energy is an excellent real-world learning opportunity for our students in sustainability,” said Keefe. 

“These investments in educating clean tech leaders and innovators are investments for our future.”

Holland College president Sandy MacDonald also said in the statement the college is pleased to be involved in the Clean Tech Learning and Innovation Centre, in particular the clean tech academy. 

“Together, we will be able to help train the next generation of leaders in terms of clean technologies,” said MacDonald. 

“It is a very exciting venture which will pave the way for a healthier, more productive environment.”

Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers, left, talks with Holland College president Sandy MacDonald at the construction site of the new clean tech academy on Feb. 15 in Georgetown. The academy is set be completed in 2024 at the cost of $55 million. Contributed

In the same release, Premier Dennis King agreed with MacDonald’s comments. 

“If we are to make lasting changes in the sustainability of our province, we must connect education, industry and community,” said King.

By Rafe Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Original Published on Feb 24, 2023

This item reprinted with permission from   The Guardian   Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Comments are Welcome - Use the 'Join the Discussion' above any replies, or 'TheRegional / Chat' below replies. Both links take you to the same place. You will be asked to become a registered user if you are not one already - Posts are moderated