The Pointe-Aux-Roches Wind Energy Project is the first wind power project to go to construction under the Feed-in Tariff program and the first to utilize 100% Ontario steel in its towers. Pointe-Aux-Roches’ turbine towers were manufactured from steel that was processed and fabricated at Essar Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Mike Crawley, President of International Power Canada, said, "This is a major milestone for our Company. The investment into the Pointe-Aux-Roches project shows confidence in the FIT program and in IPC’s ability to convert its development pipeline into revenue producing assets. We are pleased that the Pointe-Aux-Roches project is moving into construction. This means new clean, renewable energy for the province and new jobs for the region."
The C$117 million wind energy project, located in the Town of Lakeshore on the southern shore of Lake St. Clair, comprises 27 Vestas V90 1.8 megawatt ("MW") wind turbines. AMEC Black & MacDonald are serving as the general contractors on the project. The construction team is primarily made up of local labourers, electricians and iron workers. "We’ve had over 80 people working on site and expect over 126 at peak. This is good news for local union halls and service suppliers in the Windsor-Essex region," said Paul Robinson, construction manager with Black & MacDonald.
"These jobs are important and help to demonstrate that the infrastructure, resources and support are available in the region and will keep the region competitive in Ontario’s evolving green energy economy," reiterated Crawley. "The region is poised to become a clean energy powerhouse. With additional projects expected under the FIT, there will be jobs for many years to come."
Doug MacDonald, Senior Vice President with Vestas Americas, commented that Vestas is excited to be part of the Pointe-Aux-Roches project and encouraged by the opportunities that are emerging in Ontario’s clean energy markets. "Vestas is committed to participating in Ontario’s clean energy market and being a leader for supplying renewable energy to Canada. In working with IPC, the local government and the Ontario Power Authority, we look forward to the Pointe-Aux-Roches wind farm producing energy for thousands of homes in 2011 and creating jobs for Ontarians," MacDonald said. Vestas is the leading turbine supplier in Canada and has installed over 41,000 wind turbines throughout the world.
Robert Dionisi, Vice President of Essar Steel Algoma, the supplier of the steel that was used in the manufacture of the towers, stated that "Orders of this magnitude help us to sustain operating and employment levels which are particularly critical in today’s difficult market environment." Over 4700 metric tonnes of steel was used in the manufacturing of the towers at the Pointe-Aux-Roches Project.
The Pointe-Aux-Roches Wind Project is expected to be put into service in 2011 and supply 48.6MW of wind energy at full production.
International Power Canada, Inc. is a renewable power developer, owner and operator with wind and solar projects at different development stages throughout Canada. The company has presently completed 80MW of wind power projects in Ontario. International Power Canada is a subsidiary of International Power Plc, a leading independent electricity generating company with 34,408MW gross (20,949MW net) in operation and 4,502MW gross (1,393MW net) under construction. International Power is listed on the London Stock Exchange with ticker symbol IPR.
