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Nova Scotia Power says a plan to upgrade its main computer centrein partnership with an information technology service company isthe best option for ratepayers. The utility asked the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in Aprilfor approval to spend $8.4 million on the proposed capital project. Some customer representatives have questioned the proposal, sayingit might be cheaper to sell the Ragged Lake facility to CGI GroupInc. , the utility"s IT service provider, and lease back thespace after it"s fixed up. But Nova Scotia Power says customers would be better off in thelong term under its plan to partner with CGI on a project thatwould cost a total of $11 million. "The sale of the asset would provide an influx of revenue inthe short term," the utility writes in a regulatory filingmade public Wednesday. "But the operational costs NS Power would incur in a leasingarrangement with the new owner would be perpetual and escalate overtime." Under its plan, the utility would pay the $8.4-million cost of abasic capacity upgrade. CGI would contribute another $2.6 millionto increase capacity. The IT company would use the extra capacity to services otherclients until Nova Scotia Power needs it in about 10 years. The deal would also see CGI manage the construction project. Nova Scotia Power says its perferred option benefits customersbecause the utility gets additional capacity later at no extracost. Ratepayers are also better off having CGI make higherpayments under a new 10-year lease agreement, the terms of whichare removed from the public version of the report. The utility also said its engineering, procurement and constructioncontract with CGI, which Avon Group criticized for not being putout to tender, has been scrutized internally and by a consultant. "NS Power is confident that it has taken all steps necessaryto establish prudent and fair market value," the filing says. The project, if approved by the review board, would be completed bynext year. Funding is included in Nova Scotia Power"s capitalbudget this year. The utility says the centre is more than 20 years old and systembreakdowns have become more frequent over the past two years. Thefacility houses computers that control power generation and fuelsupply management, and also perform various business functions suchas finance and human resources. ( jalberstat@herald.ca ). The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Adult Incontinence Pants Manufacturer , China Pregnant Belly Band, and more. For more , please visit Urinary Incontinence Products today!
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