Wind energy is playing an increasingly important role in meeting Ontario’s demand for electricity, according to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s annual release of supply, demand, and price data. Total wind energy production rang in at 3.9 terawatt hours TWh—up substantially from 2.8 TWh in 2010. November 2011 marked the highest monthly wind output ever seen in Ontario, with production in that month alone exceeding 0.56 TWh. In annual terms, wind generation represented 2.6 per cent of total output across all fuel types of 149.9 TWh.
A record level of new wind energy projects were commissioned in both Canada and Ontario in 2011. In 2011 new wind energy projects were built and commissioned in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. More than 5,000 MW of wind energy projects are already contracted to be built over the next five years.
“Wind energy is proving itself a key partner as Ontario builds a stronger, cleaner, and affordable electricity system. Increased growth of wind energy in Ontario means cleaner air, new jobs and local investments for the communities that host wind energy projects,” says Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). “Maintaining Ontario’s leadership position will require continued commitments to aggressive targets for wind energy development and a stable policy framework.”
In 2011, the wind energy industry in Canada represented more than $3 billion in new investments that have created 17,000 person years of employment. Canada is now ranked ninth globally in terms of total installed wind energy capacity.
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 440 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. To join other global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country’s electricity from wind by 2025. The document Wind Vision 2025–Powering Canada’s Future is available at www.canwea.ca.
