Why does the City want to sell SunMine?

1. Issues with Operational Costs:

In November 2011, the City of Kimberley conducted a referendum on borrowing up to $2M to construct a two (2) megawatts (MW) solar facility to be known as SunMine. Seventy six percent (76%) of Kimberley’s resident electors voted in favour of borrowing the $2M.

However, prior to the start of construction the project lost $1.6M in federal grant funding. This prompted the project to be reduced from two (2) megawatts (MW) to 1.05 megawatts (MW). In three years of approximately $600K in revenue has been generated and only $32K has been allocated to reserves for future maintenance and capital replacement. Although SunMine has been financially self-sustaining for the first three years of operation, these costs are expected to increase.  This would result in SunMine requiring subsidization from taxation to cover operational costs and capital replacement.

In the 2011 referendum information package, the City stated that it “anticipates that this project will be self-sustaining and pay for itself through the sale of the solar-generated electricity to BC Hydro through their standing offer program.  Since the revenue received from the sale of energy will more than cover the loan payments and the annual operating costs there will not be any increase to City of Kimberley property taxes.”  Utilizing taxpayer’s funds to operate SunMine is not consistent with the City’s original vision for SunMine.

2. Issues with Expansion:

The City of Kimberley has an Energy Purchase Agreement with BC Hydro through the Standing Offer Program to purchase two (2) megawatts of power, and is currently fulfilling only 1.05 megawatt (MW) of that commitment.   The SunMine needs to expand to two (2) megawatts of power (that the City is already contracted to sell to BC Hydro) to make the project financially viable. The Standing Offer Program is under review and has suspended applications, so expansion of the SunMine beyond two (2) megawatts (MW) of power is not imminent. The City of Kimberley has other infrastructure priorities competing for the more than $2M necessary to expand the SunMine, so a private sector partner was sought to fund the expansion.
 

What has the interest from potential partners and investors been?

More than a dozen private sector companies expressed interest in partnering with the City for expansion of SunMine. As owners of the brownfield land upon which SunMine is located, and the substation infrastructure to which SunMine is connected, Teck is a party to any potential expansion and must give their approval. After weighing the options of working with potential partners for expansion and considering that the Community Charter has restrictions on the type of partnership the City can enter into, Teck suggested and the City agreed that Teck itself would be the best proponent to take over  the expansion of SunMine to two (2) megawatts (MW) of power and beyond.
 

How has market value for SunMine been determined?

Due to the unique nature of the asset being Western Canada’s only grid-connected solar facility it is difficult for an independent appraiser to determine fair market value. The most recent (2018) BC Assessment value of the SunMine is $1,693,301, which the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing suggests can be used as a reasonable proxy for fair market value.

The development cost of SunMine was $5.5M, which included $4.2M in construction cost with the balance being engineering, legal and other administrative costs.  $2M of that total was funded with donations received from Teck. The book value of SunMine as of December 31, 2017 after depreciation is $4.9M.
 

What will be done with the proceeds of the sale of SunMine?

Teck Metals Limited will pay the City of Kimberley the balance of the outstanding debt as of the date of purchase, which is currently approximately $2.15M, including interest charges. This will be used to pay off the amount of outstanding debt as the City of Kimberley share of the project cost, and result in Teck’s total investment in SunMine to be $4.15M.

The proceeds from the proposed sale of SunMine would be placed into a reserve fund in order to continue to make debt payments on the outstanding debt.
 

Summary of expected benefits to Kimberley

  • SunMine could be expanded to fulfill its current contract with BC Hydro, providing an even bigger asset to the community.
  • Teck has the financial capability for future expansion as opportunities arise.
  • No taxpayer money will be used to fund operations of SunMine.
  • By paying off the loan, the City reduces its debt load.
  • The City can expect to receive tax revenue from SunMine once it is privately owned.

 

Information Meeting

An information meeting to address questions on the proposed sale of SunMine will be held on October 1st, 2018 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers.