The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op (OREC) celebrated its new solar power project launched in Alfred on Sunday, October 1, with a BBQ. About 85 people attended the day of celebration with nearly half of the group residing in the area.
In attendance were: Fernand Dicaire, mayor of the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet; René Beaulne, one of the town’s councillors; Geordi Kakepetum, chief executive director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak Northern Chiefs Council (on behalf of the Keewaywin First Nation); and eight directors of the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative.
The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op owns 49 per cent of a solar energy project in Alfred and has 51 per cent of the voting rights, said David Mazur-Goulet, OREC spokesperson, in a previous interview with The Review. The project is built south of Du Moulin Street, which intersects with St-Philippe Street, Alfred’s main road.
The co-op works by recruiting members and investors, who share in the revenue generated by OREC’s projects. Only three of the co-op’s 700 members are from Prescott-Russell.
“We haven’t been very active in the region,” said Mazur-Goulet, and added the group hopes to attract about 30 local members by the end of next April. Members don’t necessarily have to become investors.
(Submitted photo).
