Kimberley set to become home to largest solar plant in Western Canada

Kimberley B.C. is set to become home to one of the first grid connected solar projects in the province.

Kimberley’s new Sun Mine Project will be built on the former Sullivan Mine lands and will be the largest solar power plant in Western Canada.

The project is a partnership with the city and Teck metals and will generate just over one megawatt of power a day, enough to power a thousand homes for one hour.

The solar energy that is produced will be fed into a nearby transmission line and sold back into BC Hydro’s power grid.

The city hopes to expand the project to up to 200 megawatts in the future.

“This is the starting point for this technology in British Columbia,” said Energy and Mines Minister, Bill Bennett. “We’re not announcing anything but the beginning of the beginning really. I think you’ll see this project grow in scope over the next few years and I think you’ll see more investment in solar energy.”