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Construction begins on $50-million clean tech academy in Georgetown

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GEORGETOWN, P.E.I. — Floor has been damaged on a brand new clear know-how mission, which the P.E.I. authorities plans to make the longer term residence of fresh innovation within the province. 

A 60-acre zone of tax-free land can be supplied for clear know-how firms as a vacation spot and can embrace a 55,000-square-foot studying centre which can home the clear tech academy. 

The concept for the park has been within the works since 2019 after Surroundings, Power and Local weather Motion Minister Steven Myers visited the Samsø Power Academy in Denmark, a number one analysis facility within the world battle towards local weather change. 

“The centre of the entire transition in Samsø was primarily based on their vitality academy which is the place the consultants of the adjustments had been housed,” Myers instructed SaltWire Community throughout an interview on Feb. 15. 

“We began taking a look at what an vitality academy might seem like on P.E.I.,” he mentioned. 

Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers and Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Bloyce Thompson observe the 55,000 square-foot space where the clean tech academy will stand. The academy will house UPEI and Holland College students through an exchange program. Contributed
Surroundings, Power and Local weather Motion Minister Steven Myers and Financial Progress, Tourism and Tradition Minister Bloyce Thompson observe the 55,000 square-foot area the place the clear tech academy will stand. The academy will home UPEI and Holland School college students by an trade program. Contributed

The clear tech academy, as it’s at the moment being referred to as, will supply packages in clear tech schooling by a joint initiative with Holland School and UPEI, the place college students can obtain a grasp’s diploma upon commencement. 


“We expect the payoffs can be there on the finish of it with the alternatives it’s going to create.” 

– Steven Myers


The academy will deal with technological invites in clear know-how, versus the UPEI Local weather Lab in St. Peters Bay, which is extra targeted on local weather assessments. 

“Companies can put their concepts into an incubator and college students can determine them out – if it’s a brand new wind turbine or a brand new option to strategy photo voltaic,” mentioned Myers.

“Or the scholars can simply do this themselves.” 

The academy is ready to be accomplished within the fall of 2024 and can value greater than $50 million, a worthwhile funding for the province, Myers added. 

“We expect the payoffs can be there on the finish of it with the alternatives it’s going to create,” he mentioned. 

“We will discover our personal options that may assist P.E.I. to get to our closing targets, however they’re additionally exportable options we are able to have the ability to ship everywhere in the world. Issues we’re doing right here on P.E.I. are going to unfold everywhere in the world.”


Among the clear applied sciences more likely to be expanded on the new facility will embrace: 

• Wind energy

• Photo voltaic vitality

• Hydrogen technology
 


Greg Keefe, UPEI interim president, instructed SaltWire Community throughout an interview on Feb. 22 the brand new facility is an enormous step ahead for the college’s local weather change division. 

“It’s thrilling to see this mission advance because the transition to scrub vitality is a superb real-world studying alternative for our college students in sustainability,” mentioned Keefe. 

“These investments in educating clear tech leaders and innovators are investments for our future.”

From left, Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers, UPEI Interim President Greg Keefe, Premier Dennis King, Holland College President Sandy MacDonald and Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Bloyce Thompson pose for a photo at the site of the new clean tech park project in Georgetown on Feb. 15. Contributed
From left, Surroundings, Power and Local weather Motion Minister Steven Myers, UPEI Interim President Greg Keefe, Premier Dennis King, Holland School President Sandy MacDonald and Financial Progress, Tourism and Tradition Minister Bloyce Thompson pose for a photograph on the web site of the brand new clear tech park mission in Georgetown on Feb. 15. Contributed

Holland School president Sandy MacDonald additionally mentioned within the assertion the school is happy to be concerned within the Clear Tech Studying and Innovation Centre, specifically the clear tech academy. 

“Collectively, we will assist practice the following technology of leaders when it comes to clear applied sciences,” mentioned MacDonald. 

“It’s a very thrilling enterprise which can pave the way in which for a more healthy, extra productive atmosphere.”

In the identical launch, Premier Dennis King agreed with MacDonald’s feedback. 

“If we’re to make lasting adjustments within the sustainability of our province, we should join schooling, business and neighborhood,” mentioned King.



Rafe Wright is a Native Journalism Initiative reporter. He writes about local weather change points for SaltWire Community and will be attain by e mail at [email protected] or by Twitter @wright542



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