Wind Energy

Wind power increasing its contribution to Ontario’s electricity supply

Wind energy is powering Ontario with more clean energy than ever before as production records from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) show energy production from wind was approximately 6 per cent of total Ontario supply on February 14 – compared to about 1.5 per cent from coal that same day. Earlier this month, wind energy reached a record level for hourly production with 1,296 MW on February 9th. That’s enough to power more than 300,000 homes with clean, emissions-free energy.

"Wind energy is making a significant and growing contribution to Ontario’s electricity supply as well as bringing jobs and economic opportunities to the province," says Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) president Robert Hornung. "With approximately 700 turbines now operating in Ontario, the wind energy industry is creating new ‘green jobs’ for Ontario’s manufacturing sector at a time when job losses are almost every day news. Wind energy will play an even greater role powering the province through the government’s Long-Term Energy Plan."

Almost 300 MW of new wind energy capacity was installed in Ontario in 2010, and significantly more is under construction and on track to be installed in 2011. A typical 100 MW wind farm in Ontario creates about 100 construction, manufacturing and service jobs as well as 33 high quality, full-time jobs over the long term, many in rural areas. It also generates about $300,000 in tax revenue for municipalities and $300,000 in annual lease payments for rural landowners.

Canada currently has 4,155 MW of installed wind energy capacity. Ontario is the provincial leader in installed wind energy capacity with 1,598 MW (one-third) of wind energy development. Quebec and Alberta follow at 663 MW and 806 MW respectively (one-third), and Canada’s remaining seven provinces together account for the remaining one-third.

CanWEA is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its more than 450 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada’s leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. 

www.canwea.ca