Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 17/05) - Qulliq Energy Corporation isn't going to take the plunge into wind energy just yet.

Findings from its wind energy feasibility studies in Kugluktuk and Rankin Inlet show the costs outweigh the gains at this point, said manager Peter Mackey.

"As an alternative for displacing diesel electrical generation, wind energy doesn't look good, based on our findings," said Mackey.

From 1997 to 2000 Qulliq operated two windmills in Kugluktuk. According to a report by Mackey, the windmills combined to generate 254,080 kilowatt hours of energy, they cost $650,000 to run and maintain, and saved $41,298 in diesel.

One windmill collapsed in 2000, the other is still operating.

The same report states that Rankin Inlet's one windmill, erected in 1998, has generated 205 megawatt hours to date, cost $355,000, and replaced 20,000 litres of diesel annually.

All three windmills combined created less than 0.1 per cent of Nunavut's total energy consumption, said Mackey.

"It created as close to zero per cent as you can reach without actually hitting it," said Mackey.

The big problem is, Nunavut's energy systems are not connected in a grid.

Throughout Nunavut there are 89 diesel generators. They supply almost all of the territory's energy needs.

"Even with superb windmills that last 100 years, they have to be tied into a system," said Mackey.

Current technology has failed to make windmills that last longer than 10 years in Nunavut's extreme weather conditions.

They need constant attention and maintenance, which is not always available, said Mackey in his report.

"Availability of trained personnel for routine maintenance was an issue. (They) required continuous on-site technical support," read the report.

Given the skyrocketing cost of fuel (crude oil prices last reported at $62 a barrel), alternative energy is on people's minds.

In June, six Kivalliq mayors, as well as mayors and chiefs from northern Manitoba, urged the Nunavut Government to rely more on wind-powered generators than it has in the past.

"Alternative energy is extremely important to (Qulliq) and is of top priority. Given the current cost of fuel, we have no other choice," said Mackey.

Qulliq says it will continue studying alternatives to diesel energy. A review of the potential for alternative energy, including hydro and wind, is on the drawing board.

"We are looking at priority - where we can best reduce diesel and energy costs for Nunavut. We are looking at that before we proceed," said Mackey.

Because Iqaluit has the most people concentrated in one area, it is where the greatest potential to save energy lies.

A contract has been awarded for a pre-feasibility hydro study to take place around Iqaluit.

In the NWT, monitoring stations were installed in several communities to study the potential of wind generated electricity.

While wind monitoring will occur in Inuvik, which generates the bulk of its electricity by natural gas, the diesel-dependent communities of Sachs Harbour, Holman and Paulatuk are also included in the study, with hopes of attracting businesses interested in investing in the turbine technology.

- With files from Jason Unrau