By Manish Nayar, The Windsor Star
Re: Green Energy Act didn't create jobs, letter to the editor by Eric Renaud, June 14.
I think it is important for Windsorites to have the facts so they can make their own educated decisions regarding renewable energy and the positive impact it is having, not only on the environment, but Ontario's economy.
I can assure you that our companies (OYA Solar, OYA Energy and Polar Racking) alone collectively employ more than the 27 jobs Mr. Renaud claims have been created.
In fact, the most recent numbers our industry has collected peg that number around 18,000.
Siliken, OYA Solar, OYA Energy, Polar Racking, Schletter, Algatec and CS Wind are just a few of the dozens of companies employing hundreds of Windsorites that are here, not just to supply the Ontario market, but also the growing global export market.
Today, OYA Solar and Polar Racking are selling products and projects in the U.S., Africa, India and Bangladesh, all from our Windsor-based headquarters.
In fact, a recent study shows every $1 million in government spending on renewable energy creates 17 jobs, versus only five in oil and gas, or 11 in military and auto manufacturing. Here is the link to that information http: //t.co/y2Kp7xe.
The intent of the Green Energy Act is almost identical to many of Ontario's other pioneering industry-creating legislative acts.
For example, the Canada-U.S. Auto Pact in 1965 increased auto exports to the U.S. from seven per cent to 60 per cent in just three years, translating to a vibrant 45-year domestic industry which paved the way for Windsor to be dubbed Canada's automotive capital.
I say "almost" because, unlike the Auto Pact, the Green Energy Act does more than just create jobs and long-term investment, it provides us energy security from sustainable sources and it cleans up our air.
Ontarians need to understand how we actually pay for power to understand why the Green Energy Act makes sense.
Yes, Ontario has a stable base load of nuclear and hydroelectric power, but many of us don't realize that our peak electricity demands are sometimes bought on the spot market for prices in excess of $2/kWh.
The Independent Electricity System Operator publishes this hourly pricing and demand data every day on its website (www.ieso.ca).
Last week, the IESO paid $2.78/kWh for peak electricity demand. Here is the weblink to see for yourself http: //alturl. com/uo4wd.
We don't see this in our bills because our government levels that cost and smoothes it out to an average. However, it doesn't mean that we don't pay for it.
If we built 10 times the amount of solar contracts offered in the past two years, we would still not come close to touching Ontario's peak demand.
Finally, with all this talk of government subsidies, what exactly are we talking about?
The Green Energy Act offers a producer of renewable energy a fixed price (which is much lower than the spot market) under a standard non-negotiable contract to sell power to the grid for the next 20 years.
There are no upfront moneys for capital equipment, tax breaks or financing; the producer assumes all the risk of building and connecting the system himself.
In doing so, the government can reduce stress on an aging and antiquated grid, generate power directly at the point of use with no transmission losses and effectively reduce its need to upgrade or replace equipment as more localized energy is installed.
The only subsidy I see is the one these renewable producers are providing to the government and people of Ontario.
People need to start hearing the truth: Buying solar power for $0.44 to $0.80/kWh provides us more reliable power, creates a new long-term industry that would enjoy Auto Pact type longevity, benefits our environment and actually saves the province money.
The rest of the world recognizes this. It's about time we do the same and secure our own future.
Manish Nayar is a managing partner at OYA Solar in Windsor. Twitter: @oyasolar
* Retrieved from http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Time+record+straight/5004712/story.html
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