Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 16/02) - A new program aimed at helping people switch to environmentally friendly energy sources has proven far more popular than anticipated.

The renewable energy technology conversion assistance program was established by the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development last April.

Under RETCAP the department provides up to half of the cost of materials for conversions to renewable energy devices such as solar panels, wind turbines and micro-hydro systems,

Maximum funding for a home or building is $7,500.

Initially, $50,000 was allocated for the program.

"The program has been so successful ... the department has reallocated some additional funding," said Emery Paquin, head of the RWED's environmental protection division.

In all, $110,000 was provided for 24 projects.

All but four were for solar energy projects. Three wind generators were funded and one micro-hydro system.

Paquin said the program was developed to support the growing interest in the North in alternative energy and to fill a gap the department identified in government support for the transition to renewable energy sources.

"There is financial support for larger renewable energy projects on a national scale, but we couldn't identify anything that could support small residential scale technology."

The Weledeh Catholic school solar wall is an example of the type of installation supported by existing programs.

It was partly funded by Natural Resources Canada.

The department hopes to continue the program next year.

A final decision on that will be made by MLAs during the budget session, which begins next month.