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Updated: Tue Jul. 27 2010 2:45:31 PM
ctvmontreal.ca
The mighty St. Lawrence River will soon be home to a power-generating pilot project that could one day churn in rivers across Canada.
The company that builds the underwater river turbines says the test phase will start off small, producing enough energy to power 750 homes.
“It’s a bit like a windmill sitting on the bed of the river, so the water (goes) through the turbine and then it produces electricity because of the movement of the turbine,” explained Georges Dick, president of RSW Inc.
Dick says the technology has huge potential in Canada’s biggest waterways, including the Mackenzie, Peace and Fraser rivers.
“It can be sustainable with reasonable costs, so it’s part of the solution to reduce our greenhouse gases,” said Federal Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis.
The federal and provincial governments are funding one-third of the $18 million project.
Paradis says it’s a low-cost, renewable energy source that will create hundreds of jobs.
Paradis insists the spinning blades inside the three-metre-high turbines will not have an impact on underwater wildlife.
Energy expert Philip Raphals of energy research group the Helios Centre said previous studies have shown the impact is minor.
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