Historic Clean Energy Partnership Agreement a first for Six Nations
(Mississauga, ON) – Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. (Samsung) and Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern) today announced a historic partnership with Six Nations of the Grand River (Six Nations) to build one of the world’s largest wind and solar projects in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada.
“Samsung, together with our development partner Pattern, welcomes the decision by the Elected Council of Six Nations to join with us in building a world-class wind and solar farm in Haldimand County. After almost two years of negotiations with Six Nations, we are proud to have reached an agreement for the first renewable energy partnership in Six Nations’ history,” said K.J. Kim, Vice President of Samsung Renewable Energy.
“Having engaged in a comprehensive community consultation process with the Six Nations people, Pattern and Samsung would like to recognize the efforts of Chief Montour, his colleagues on Council, and staff who have taken a historic step forward,”said Michael Garland, Chief Executive Officer of Pattern, “We have a great deal of respect for the Six Nations people and it is an honour to join forces with them on this important renewable energy project.”
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Six Nations may choose to participate in the project by electing an equity holding or royalty for each of the wind and solar developments. “This agreement is a historic accomplishment for Six Nations as it demonstrates the success that can be achieved with Six Nations as a partner,” said Chief Montour. “The Grand River Renewable Energy Park is a template for how Six Nations can finally begin to realize benefits from the ongoing development within the Haldimand Tract; the fact that the development itself is clean and sustainable simply adds to the overall attractiveness of the project.”
Shortly after signing the Green Energy Investment Agreement with the Government of Ontario in January, 2010, Samsung and Pattern entered into negotiations with Six Nations to locate a portion of Samsung’s Phase One wind and solar project on Six Nations territory in Haldimand County. The Agreement reached recently with Six Nations is a first for the community, and builds on the positive, collaborative relationship Samsung and Pattern have forged with Haldimand Town Council, local landowners and community members. Out of respect for history and tradition, Samsung also met with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council to share details of the project and receive their feedback.
The Grand River Renewable Energy Park (GREP), located in Haldimand County, is a 250 megawatt project part of the first phase of Samsung’s investment in Ontario. Having received approval from the Ontario Power Authority to proceed with the Phase One project in August 2011, Samsung and Pattern are completing the technical studies and approvals necessary to begin construction, which is expected to begin in autumn this year.
Samsung and its partners have committed to bring $7 billion in investment to Ontario to create 2,500 MW of new renewable energy sources. This investment is helping to establish four manufacturing facilities in Ontario, creating 900 new manufacturing jobs and 16,000 jobs overall in Ontario’s Green Economy. These initiatives are a direct result of Samsung’s Green Energy Investment Agreement with the Government of Ontario.
ABOUT SAMSUNG
Founded in 1938, Samsung C&T is involved in a broad and growing portfolio of businesses, delivering creative, integrated business solutions to customers worldwide through a network of over 100 offices in 44 countries. Samsung C&T, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and its partners are building the world’s largest renewable energy cluster in Southern Ontario. Samsung was selected by the Ontario Government for its rapidly expanding expertise in the alternative energy field, but also for the proven track record of constructing projects of similar scale from planning and financing to execution. Built on the success of our renewable energy projects in several countries – including the United States, Australia and Italy – Samsung recognized Ontario as a province that was open for business and welcoming of new jobs and investment. For more information: www.samsungrenewableenergy.com
ABOUT PATTERN ENERGY
Pattern Energy Group LP is an independent, fully integrated energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates renewable energy and transmission assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America. With a long history in wind energy, Pattern’s highly-experienced team of scientists, engineers, construction experts, and legal and financial professionals has developed, financed and placed into operation more than 2,500 MW of wind power projects. Pattern is strongly committed to promoting environmental stewardship and is dedicated to working closely with landowners and communities to create premier renewable energy projects. Currently operating 520 MW of wind energy in North America, Pattern is scheduled to start construction on new projects totaling more than 1,000 MW over the next 12 months. The Company’s full development pipeline exceeds 4,000 MW of renewable energy and transmission projects. Pattern has offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, New York, and Toronto. For more information, please visit www.patternenergy.com.
ABOUT SIX NATIONS
Six Nations of the Grand River is the largest populated First Nations community within Canada, with a total membership of 23,626. Located at the centre of the Greater Golden Horseshoe of southern Ontario, the community is a short drive from Toronto, the American border, major railway lines, many major highways and three international airports, located approximately 25km southwest of Hamilton between the cities of Bantford, Caledonia and Hagersville. Six Nations is surrounded by three single tiered municipalities, Norfolk County (62,563), Brant County (34,415) and Haldimand County (43,728), the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation(on-reserve population of 846) and the City of Brantford (90,190). The Haldimand Proclamation of 1784 states Six Nations is entitled to take possession of and settle upon six miles on either side of the banks of the Grand River from Lake Erie to its source, approximately 950,000 acres. The lands were granted in partial recognition of the loss sustained by the Six Nations in the aftermath of their alliance with the British Crown during the American War of Independence, and were to be protected by the Crown.
