CanWEA applauds Ontario's call for transmission investments
to support wind energy
Jun 13, 2006 - Canadian Wind
Energy Association
Wind energy industry poised to surpass
government objectives and timelines but a procurement
strategy for more wind energy is required
OTTAWA - The Canadian Wind Energy Association
(CanWEA) is pleased that the Ontario Government's
"Integrated Power System Plan Directive" to the Ontario
Power Authority today called for strengthening the
transmission system to facilitate the development
and use of wind energy where the most significant
development opportunities exist. Specifically, the
need for expanded transmission capacity from Bruce
County and surrounding area was identified as a priority.
"A commitment to expand transmission capacity from
Bruce County should immediately free up space for
significant new wind energy development in Ontario",
says Robert Hornung, CanWEA President. "Ontario has
already signed contracts for 1,300 MW of wind energy
and more than 200 MW are already contributing to Ontario's
electricity supply, but several hundred additional
MW of projects are poised and ready to proceed." While
today's announcement also envisions a significantly
enhanced role for wind energy in Ontario's electricity
supply mix going forward, CanWEA was disappointed
by the targets and timetables for future wind energy
development, and the failure to outline a clear schedule
for future procurement of wind energy. CanWEA believes
that it is possible to both move more quickly and
integrate much larger penetrations of wind than is
currently being contemplated. CanWEA has advocated
for the development of 6,000 MW of wind in Ontario
by 2015, and 8,000 MW by 2020. "Aside from Standard
Offer Contracts, which are restricted to projects
of 10 MW or less, there are currently no processes
that are clearly moving forward to procure additional
wind energy in Ontario", says Hornung. "If such processes
are not implemented prior to the final approval of
a new Integrated Power System Plan by the Ontario
Energy Board, it is likely that some wind energy investors
will leave Ontario for more timely opportunities elsewhere
and abandon projects currently under development here."
The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) represents
more than 230 companies involved in Canada's wind
energy industry, including wind turbine and component
manufacturers, wind energy project developers, electric
utilities and service providers to the wind energy
industry. CanWEA's goal is to see 10,000 MW of wind
energy capacity either contracted on installed in
Canada by 2010. For further information: Léonie Bouvier,
Director of Communications, (613) 234-8716 ext. 223,
leoniebouvier@canwea.ca
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