Minister Efford Energizes Wind Power Industry in Canada

News Release

MONTRÉAL - A Canadian wind-power producer received a major boost of support today with significant new funding from the Government of Canada. The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), announced that his department is investing $24.7 million in the recently commissioned Summerview Wind Farm near Pincher Creek, Alberta. Minister Efford made the announcement at the Canadian Wind Energy Association of Canada Conference (CanWEA) in Montréal today. "We're proud to support the expansion of the wind-power industry in Canada through this new contribution agreement with Vision Quest Windelectric for the Summerview Wind Farm," said Minister Efford. "Wind power is part of our answer to climate change and represents significant opportunities for economic growth and new jobs. We want Canada to make the most of its tremendous potential to diversify its electricity generation." The Summerview Wind Farm is the most recent wind farm built by Vision Quest Windelectric. It has a capacity of 68.4 megawatts (MW) and represents the first phase of a 130-MW project. Vision Quest Windelectric is an independent subsidiary of TransAlta and is Canada's largest wind-energy supplier. The Government of Canada is a leader in supporting the wind-power industry in Canada through NRCan's Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI). WPPI was established in Budget 2001 to encourage the production of 2.6 million kilowatt-hours of wind power a year over a five-year period ending in March 2007. It helps expand the industry by offering an incentive averaging one cent for each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated from new wind farms. The incentive covers about half of the additional cost of generating power using wind rather than conventional sources. After two and a half years of operation, the WPPI has supported the construction of 13 wind farms in Canada. Today's announcement brings the total number of Alberta projects by Vision Quest Windelectric funded by the WPPI to three. The other, already-existing contribution agreements are with the McBride Wind Farm near Pincher Creek for $33.7 million over 10 years and the Summer view Turbine project for $0.8 million. The McBride Wind Farm was commissioned in June 2003, and the Summerview Turbine Project in February 2003. In total, the projects are expected to generate a little more than 145 megawatts of electricity in Canada in 2004-05. The announcement comes on the heels of a promise made by the Government of Canada in the Speech from the Throne to remain committed to addressing the challenge of climate change. To that end, the Speech from the Throne indicated that the Government of Canada would support alternative energy industries and singled out wind power and the quadrupling of the WPPI. The Summerview Wind Farm is an example of how the Government of Canada is helping industry compete successfully in the marketplace and giving consumers the option to choose cleaner energy sources. It benefits Canadians both environmentally and economically by spurring technological innovation that contributes to our climate change goals and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative enhances our quality of life by contributing to knowledge, innovation and technology in the natural resources sectors, which are a vital part of Canada's economy and society. For more information, media may contact: Tom Ormsby Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 996-2007 Ghyslain Charron Media Relations Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 992-4447

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2016-12-15

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Minister Efford Energizes Wind Power Industry in Canada

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Minister Efford Energizes Wind Power Industry in Canada

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