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B.C. Enters Wind Power Age

October 15, 2008 British Columbia’s first commercial wind turbine has been erected on a ridge west of Chetwynd for the Dokie Wind Project, and construction is advancing at the Bear Mountain Wind project site outside Dawson Creek. British Columbia is making its debut as a wind energy producer, long after other provinces have begun harnessing wind to help light homes and industry.
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Native Groups Partners Sky Power

August 13, 2008

Beardy's and Okemasis, a First Nation community, and SkyPower, a Lehman Brothers Company, have entered into an agreement to develop the Willow Cree Wind Project. The partners' proposed plan includes developing a 100 MW wind park in Big Quill, Saskatchewan. The project currently encompasses approximately 12,000 acres of land and will generate clean energy sufficient to power more than 30,000 homes annually.

Western Wind Raises Capital

June 23, 2008

Western Wind Energy Corp (TSX-V: WND) closed an oversubscribed private placement of $15 million. Western Wind is the only pure wind power generator listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and appetite for alternative power sources put the company in an enviable position to capitalize on current sentiment towards the sector. Western Wind owns more than 4,000 acres of fee simple land and leases more than 22,000 acres in California and Arizona. Most of the Western Wind land has been zoned and permitted for wind development.

Premier Touts N.B wind

New Brunswick Business Journal

May 19, 2008

Premier Shawn Graham has taken the message of New Brunswick's wind wealth to a group of business leaders in New York. "We have the potential to develop between 2,500 megawatts to 4,000 megawatts of wind energy generation capacity within New Brunswick by the year 2025," he said. "This new wind energy will support New Brunswick's renewable energy requirements, as well as provide export energy for the New England market."

Quebec as clean energy hub

Business Green

May 12, 2008

Already largely reliant on hydroelectric power for much of its energy, the east Canadian province of Quebec looks set to cement its position as a clean energy hub through a multi-billion dollar project to build over two gigawatts of wind energy capacity. French-Canadian electricity company Hydro Quebec announced last week that it has accepted 15 bids from third party power providers who will create 2,004MW of wind power for the east Canadian province.

Canada Invests $5.5 Bl into Wind Farms

Greenbang.com

May 9, 2008

Government owned power company Hydro-Québec has just announced $5.5 billion of spending ($1.1 billion will go on transmission infrastructure) on 15 wind farm projects. The projects will see 2,004 MW of energy capacity come online between 2011 and 2015.Hydro-Québec says the energy will cost around 10.5 cents per kWh - that’s 8.7 cents for the wind energy, 1.3 cents for transmission, and an estimated 0.5 cents for balancing service provided by Hydro-Québec Production.

P.E.I.'s $2M Wind Grant from Ottawa

Chronicle Herald – Canada

April 30, 2008

Prince Edward Island’s wind energy industry received a substantial financial boost from the federal government. Peter MacKay, minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, confirmed the government will invest $2 million over the next three years in the three-year-old Wind Energy Institute of Canada, based in Summerside. “There’s been a great deal of speculation, indeed even some fear mongering, about the expiration of the funding for the institute," said Mackay.

Creststreet Power plans sale

Globe & Mail – Canada

April 29, 2008

Creststreet Power & Income fund decided this week to ask for unitholder approval on a wind-down of the trust. Its assets - wind farms in Nova Scotia and Quebec - are being sold for $121-million to FPL Energy, a leading U.S. wind power company. Creststreet wants to use part of this cash to redeem outstanding debentures, then hand the rest of the money back to unitholders - an estimated $6.63 a unit - and quietly fold its tent.

New Brunswick eyes more wind farms

Times and Transcript - New Brunswick, Canada

March 25, 2008

Yves Gagnon hopes to see the development of community based wind power projects that will provide both a sustainable source of energy and economically benefit New Brunswickers. Professor Gagnon at l'Unversité de Moncton said the government's recent launch of a community wind energy initiative shows they recognize the importance of this potential source of energy. By community wind, Gagnon means smaller-based wind projects that are locally owned and operated by any number of different types of groups.

New Cape Breton wind farm

The Canadian Press

February 6, 2007

A new wind farm to be developed in Cape Breton will eventually supply Nova Scotia Power Inc. with enough electricity to serve about 6,000 homes. Nova Scotia-based Renewable Energy Services Ltd. (RESL) will add 11 new turbines at its current site at Statia Terminals in Port Hawkesbury, at a cost of $55 million. The project is the first in a series of anticipated agreements that will ultimately see the utility purchase about 240 megawatts of wind-generated power from private firms by 2010 - enough electricity for about 60,000 homes.

Premier supports for offshore energy

Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada

January 18, 2008

Offshore wind could play an important role in the development of renewable energy resources in Ontario, says Premier Dalton McGuinty, who confirmed yesterday that an official announcement on wind power in the Great Lakes is coming soon. "We've received advice that you can, in fact, do more to harness wind power – that you can harness that wind power offshore," the premier said.

Territories hope Arctic winds pack power

Globe and Mail - Canada

January 3, 2008

It's long been the Canadian Arctic's dirty little secret: Most of its remote communities are powered solely by diesel. But with soaring oil prices and growing concerns about climate change, the Northwest Territories is considering a renewable energy solution that could one day see wind farms sprouting in the Far North. "Our Arctic coast villages are on the front lines of climate change and seeing the effects on a daily basis," explained Wade Carpenter, the territorial government's alternative-energy specialist.

Canada wind farm sells for $77M

Oilweek Magazine - Edmonton,Canada

November 28, 2007

SkyPower Wind Energy Fund LP has settled the terms of its $77.2-million sale of the Terrawinds wind energy project near Riviere-du-Loup, Que., to Lehman Brothers affiliate SkyPower Corp. The deal includes the assumption of about $211 million of debt of Terrawinds. The partnership had invested in Terrawinds Resources Corp., a Canadian corporation formed to construct and operate a 166-megawatt wind energy project that would generate power for sale to Hydro-Quebec in a 21-year agreement.

Canada invests in largest wind project

Hindu - Chennai, India

November 12, 2007

Tony Clement, Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, was at the Prince Wind Energy Farm to announce more than $53 million in funding, over ten years, for the largest wind energy project in Canada. The Prince Wind Energy Farm is situated on 20,000 acres of land northwest of Sault Ste. Marie. The wind farm’s 126 turbines are capable of generating up to 189 MWs of power, enough to power nearly 40,000 homes.

Siemens supplies 86 turbines to Canada

Power Engineering

November 9, 2007

Siemens Power Generation will supply 86 wind turbines with a capacity of 2.3 MW each for the Wolfe Island Wind project, near Kingston in Eastern Ontario, Canada. The purchaser is a unit of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. The 200 MW wind farm is scheduled to be operational in fall 2008. Siemens said that so far in 2007 it has secured wind turbine orders totaling more than 750 MW in North America. The combined value of these orders exceeds $1.1 billion. With an average annual growth rate of 25 percent, the North American wind power market is expected to be the second largest regional market in terms of total installed capacity, behind Europe.

Swiss Firm Invests $16 Million in Sequoia

Winnipeg Free Press - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

November 2, 2007

Winnipeg-based wind energy company, Sequoia Energy Inc., has closed a $16 million investment with the international renewable energy fund Good Energies. The fund has a global investment portfolio of about $5 billion exclusively in renewable energy companies. Sequoia is the Winnipeg company that designed and developed the St. Leon wind farm, at the time the largest wind power project in Canada. Sequoia intends to use the investment from Good Energies to continue its development work in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and the U.S. midwest.

Energy firm mulling wind hydro project

ChronicleHerald.ca - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

October 12, 2007

Cape Breton Explorations says the company is looking into setting up 44 wind turbines and linking that project with a hydro-electric plant on Lake Uist. The proposed project would use the new wind turbines to generate electricity during the day when demand for energy is high. But at night, the turbines would supply power to underground turbines that would pump water from Lake Uist to a reservoir. That water would then be sent downhill through the hydroelectric turbines to generate more electricity.

Wind power more viable in BC

Vancouver Sun - British Columbia, Canada

October 4, 2007

British Columbia's pursuit of electricity self-sufficiency should provide an unprecedented boost for a green energy sector that has until now failed to compete with hydro power, a wind project proponent said on Wednesday. Myke Clark, vice-president of policy and public relations for Finavera Renewables, said the prices BC Hydro is paying independent producers for green energy have reached a level that makes wind farms a viable investment. Earlier this year, Finavera submitted four wind farm projects to the B.C.

Govt. invests in Quebec wind farm

Market Wire – USA

October 3, 2007

Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Baie-des-Sables Wind Energy Project, completed by Cartier Wind Energy, will receive more than $31 million, over ten years, under the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power initiative. The Baie-des-Sables Wind Energy Project has 73 General Electric 1.5-megawatt turbines, with a total capacity of 109.5 megawatts. This is the first of six projects planned by Cartier Wind Energy. When all the projects are operational, Cartier Wind Energy will be the largest producer of wind power in the province of Quebec, with a capacity of some 740 megawatts.

Wind energy exec indicted

Pioneer Press - St. Paul, MN, USA

September 24, 2007

A federal grand jury has indicted a Twin Cities wind energy developer for mail fraud and money laundering, accusing him of overbilling Xcel Energy for electricity and collecting wrongful incentive payments from the state of Minnesota. Gregory Jaunich, 46, of North Oaks, was charged with 33 counts of mail fraud, three counts of lying on loan applications and six counts of money laundering, according to the indictment filed Tuesday in federal court in Minneapolis.

Hydro-Quebec rush of wind proposals

Reuters Canada - Montreal Canada

September 24, 2007

Hydro-Quebec has received 66 bids from developers to supply 7,724 megawatts of wind-generated electricity, almost four times the amount sought in its tender call for 2,000 MW of wind power. The Quebec government-owned utility, which generates and distributes most of the electrical power in the Canadian province of 7.5 million, said on Thursday the bids came from more than 25 developers. Those include TransCanada Energy Boralex Inc. and Northland Power Income fund.

Weak grid holding back wind energy

CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador

September 6, 2007

Newfoundland and Labrador has great potential for wind energy, but is hampered by an "isolated and relatively weak" power grid, a confidential report says. The report, obtained by CBC News, says the island's electrical grid will limit the size and potential of wind farm projects, despite a "world-class wind resource" waiting to be tapped. The report — completed in 2005 by Ontario consulting firm Acres International — says Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro should develop a plan to gradually add small-scale wind energy projects.

Names to watch in wind & solar power

Canada.com - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

August 31, 2007

Three companies made the list in the wind category: Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica SA, a Spanish company whose main markets are its home country and China, and nabs 13% of the global market; Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world’s leading producer of wind power systems, one based in Denmark and controls 28% of the global market; and finally, Suzlon Energy Ltd., an Indian company controlling 6% of the global market.

Ontario seeks to double green energy

Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada

August 30, 2007

The Ontario government has directed the province's power authority to purchase another 2,000 MWs of green electricity supply, doubling the amount of renewable power already under contract. "It's an important next step," Energy Minister Dwight Duncan saidan interview. "We have to make sure we continue to develop renewable power, from all sources." The move comes six weeks before a provincial election that will put the McGuinty government's energy and environmental policy under a critical spotlight.

Greenpeace supports wind power

Welland Tribune – Canada

August 29, 2007

The wind that blows across the Great Lakes has the potential of generating tens of thousands of megawatts of electricity. But instead of setting up offshore wind turbines to tap into the renewable source of electricity, the Ontario government refuses to give up its reliance on “dirty electricity,” said Shawn-Patrick Stensil, from Greenpeace. “We’re often told by our government officials that we don’t have a choice but to go nuclear and run our coal plants longer. On the Great Lakes there’s an untapped resource, which is offshore wind,” he said.

Alberta wind power cap under fire

Globe and Mail – Canada

August 6, 2007

Wind power advocates are unhappy with the Alberta government for suggesting that the current cap on wind energy in the province might be raised, rather than eliminated completely. Last year the province's energy operator set a "threshold" of 900 megawatts for wind power production, because of concerns that amounts above that level could destabilize the power grid. The wind industry was unhappy with the cap, saying that it is unnecessarily stalling wind development in the province, and wind players have been lobbying for its removal.

John Deere Wind Energy expands to Canada

Canada NewsWire – Canada

August 6, 2007

John Deere Wind Energy recently announced it is expanding its business to include Canada. The company has developed a new business capability that provides project development, debt financing and other services similar to those already offered in the United States. It will offer specialized expertise in project finance, construction project management, wind turbine procurement, and wind energy technology and operations.

Green power good investment

Canoe.ca – Canada

July 30, 2007

Wind is one of the few standout investments, according to Daniel Shteyn, a financial analyst at Desjardins Securities. He believes wind power is only going to grow in popularity. "As long as you believe that carbon constraints are here to stay, this is not a fad, it's a long term trend. In fact, in the long term, renewable power has to be part of the solution," he said. Shteyn suggested electricity producer Boralex Inc. (TSX:BLX) as a highlight in the wind power the first quarter. Energy sales surged to $50.8 million from $37.1 million.

TransAlta expands in New Brunswick

CanadaEast Online

July 18, 2007

TransAlta Corp. (TSX:TA) is expanding its planned wind-power development in New Brunswick, increasing its electricity supply arrangement with New Brunswick Power Distribution to 96 megawatts from 75 megawatts. The Calgary-headquartered utility operator plans to install seven additional turbines at its Kent Hills project, about 30 kilometres southwest of Moncton. This will increase the planned array to 32 towers, each generating three megawatts, subject to regulatory and environmental approval.

B.C. sets noise rules for wind farms

Prince George Citizen

July 16, 2007

People living near a wind farm in B.C. should be able to sleep easy. Taking a page from the World Health Organization's Guidelines For Community Noise, the province has developed a policy to limit the sound produced by commercial wind developments. As such, no wind farms in B.C. may produce sound louder than 40 decibels as measured outside a pre-existing residence near the project. Sound is produced at wind turbines by rotor blades slicing through the air and by their mechanical parts.

Boralex to buy wind farms

Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada

July 11, 2007

Boralex Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire nine wind farms, with an installed capacity of 10 megawatts each, in the Windsor, Ont., region. Financial details were not disclosed Monday in a release. The deal will allow the electricity producer to double its overall wind power capacity as well as commercially commission and operate its first wind farms in Canada by next year, Montreal-based Boralex said. Privately held renewable energy developer Gengrowth will work with Boralex.

PEI turbines to produce power for US

ChronicleHerald.ca - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

July 9, 2007

The largest private wind farm in Prince Edward Island is now fully operational. The 14 turbines at West Cape, about a two-hour drive west of Charlottetown, can generate 29 megawatts. Company president John Douglas said Ventus plans to sell most of its P.E.I. production to the New England pool. The company has already received approval to market its renewable energy certificates in Massachusetts.

Canada Funds Alberta wind farm

Marketwire - Toronto, Canada

July 8, 2007

The Minister of Natural Resources announced that Kettles Hill Wind Energy Inc.will be the first company to receive funding under the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power initiative. Kettles Hill Wind Energy Inc. is completing construction of a 63-megawatt wind-power facility located in Alberta. Businesses, municipalities, institutions and organizations are eligible to apply for $1.48 billion in funding under ecoENERGY for Renewable Power, for wind, biomass, low-impact hydro, geothermal, solar photovoltaic and ocean energy.

Naikun has wind at its back

National Post – Canada

July 6, 2007

Naikun Wind Energy is in line to win a lucrative power contract expected to be awarded in the next twelve months by the province of British Columbia, according to Cormark Securities analyst MacMurray Whale. If successful, NaiKun, a Vancouver-based power developer, would utilize some of the power potential from its current offshore wind project near Prince Rupert in an area known as the Haida Energy Field. Fully harnessed, the project is expected to support up to 1,750 megawatts of power capacity over 10 years.

Cap on Wind Power Lifting

Journal of Commerce – Canada

June 24, 2007

There’s an end in sight to the cap that put the kibosh on further development of wind power in the province that once led all the rest in developing wind farms. With billions of dollars of wind power projects stalled by a year-long cap on further development, it looked like Albertans could be getting their electricity from nuclear reactors before the province jumped on the green band wagon.

Wind farm wants to power an island

Queen Charlotte Islands Observer - B.C., Canada

May 17, 2007

The company that wants to build a huge wind farm off the east coast of Graham Island says it has come up with a way to supply wind power to the islands. Until now, the NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc. intended only to connect to the mainland electricity grid with a submarine cable heading east from the proposed 320 MW project. But last week, the company announced it has come up with a solution that will allow it to install a cable from the wind farm to supply power to the islands.

BC's Wind Power Giveaway

The Tyee.ca – Canada

May 14, 2007

Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell recently had a tête-à-tête to discuss how B.C. could assist California in dealing with its energy crisis. A closer look at the B.C. government's wind energy policies reveals an enormous giveaway of literally billions of dollars in wind farm assets and future public revenues to private power developers. Yet there has been virtually no public discussion of the scope and cost of the government's wind energy policies.

New N.B. wind map unveiled

The Canadian Press - New Brunswick, Canada

May 11, 2007

Researchers at the University of Moncton have unveiled an updated, high-resolution wind map of New Brunswick. The new map has 25 times more information than previous versions, with more detail about land features and wind velocity. University spokesman Yves Gagnon says the map will help build the province's wind energy industry. The provincial government has said it wants New Brunswick to produce 300 megawatts of electricity from wind energy. In particular, the map identifies "exceptional wind potential" along the Acadian Peninsula.

Grid limits Alberta wind power

Canoe.ca – Canada

May 6, 2007

One of Alberta's aces in fighting global warming -- wind energy -- is being smothered by an antiquated transmission system that's led to a cap on generation, say critics. Despite huge wind power resources in its south, Alberta's in the process of falling behind other provinces on wind power, said Tim Weis of the Pembina Institute. "The industry's growing at about 30 per cent a year globally and generally nationally as well," said Weis. "Quebec and Ontario are taking the lead."

NDP will invest in more wind power

Winnipeg Free Press - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

May 4, 2007

n NDP government will invest in more wind power and force school buses and government vehicles to use gas made from food, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said. Doer swung his campaign through Conservative country Thursday, toting with him promises of more wind farms and a new mandate to use biodiesel in government vehicles. Doer joked that nobody in St. Leon complains about the wind anymore.

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