Wind energy to grow by 20 per cent in 2012
by Rebecca Reid
Quebec responsible for majority of new installed capacity.
TORONTO—Canada’s wind energy industry is expected to add about 1,200 megawatts (MW) of power by the end of 2012—a growth of nearly 20 per cent, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association (Canwea).
Canwea made the announcement today in Toronto at its 28th Annual Conference and Exhibition, which opened this morning at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place.
By the end of 2012, there will be over 6,500 megawatts of wind energy capacity in Canada, with Ontario accounting for over 2,000 megawatts, Alberta for 1,600 megawatts and Quebec for 1,100 megawatts.
“Ontario’s wind energy continues to create good new jobs for Ontario’s manufacturing sector in places like Hamilton, Niagara, Chatham and Tillsonburg, but we are really just getting started. With political leadership and continued political stability, wind energy will deliver on it s promise of providing the clean, safe electricity that Canadians want,” said Robert Hornung, president of Canwea.
Sixty per cent of new wind capacity in 2012 will be installed in Quebec but the year will see new wind energy projects commissioned in B.C., Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia.
“There are many examples of leadership in supporting renewable energy across Canada, but we must see more action by governments in British Columbia and Alberta to capitalize on those provinces’ enormous wind energy potential,” he said.
“Canada can be a world leader in producing clean energy that reduces our greenhouse gas emissions. This is not about tomorrow or some future that we can dream about. This is about taking responsibility today.”
The organization anticipates Quebec will issue a fourth call for tenders this year resulting in record growth in 2013.
Canwea says each 1,000 megawatts of new wind energy is enough to power for over 300,000 homes, generates $2.5 billion in investments and provides 10,500 person-years of employment.
