Canadian wind industry continues steady growth in 2015
by Cleantech Canada Staff
The industry added 1,506 MW of wind power capacity throughout the year
Canada’s wind capacity has grown by an average of 23 per cent annually over the past five years. PHOTO: CanWEA
OTTAWA—Canada’s wind industry continued to chart strong growth in 2015.
According to the Canadian Wind Energy Association, the renewable segment commissioned 36 different wind projects in 2015, adding 1,506 megawatts of energy capacity to the grid and bringing Canada’s total installed capacity to 11,205 MW.
“Not only has the wind energy industry continued its five year trend as the largest source of new electricity generation in Canada, the industry in Canada has demonstrated a five year annual average growth rate of 23 per cent per year,” CanWEA president, Robert Hornung, said.
The wind energy industry group said wind turbines met approximately five per cent of the country’s electricity demand in 2015—the equivalent of powering three million homes.
As Ontario continues leading the wind power race, CanWEA hopes policy decisions in Alberta and Saskatchewan will also help add to the wind tally in other parts of the country in the coming years.
The organization expects to see at least 1,000 MW of new capacity installed in 2016.
