Ontario adds renewable resources

's electricity grid will soon get a boost from 14 new renewable energy projects awarded through the

, Canada's Energy Minister Dwight Duncan announced recently.

One of the projects announced is one of the world's largest solar farms, to be built in Sarnia. OptiSolar Farms will install over one million ground-mounted solar panels to convert solar power into electricity. The project will comprise four solar farms and will contribute 40 megawatts to the grid by 2010.

Other projects include two residential-sized solar photovoltaic installations, several 10-megawatt wind farms and two waterpower projects. All of the contracted projects are expected to be in service by 2010.

Duncan’s announcement brings to 36 the number of projects awarded under the Standard Offer Program since February. Taken together, these projects will generate 250 megawatts of renewable energy, which is enough to power more than 55,000 homes.

Ontario

's Renewable Standard Offer Program is the largest of its kind in

and is expected to add 1,000 megawatts of clean energy to the grid over the next 10 years.