PUBNICO, NOVA SCOTIA - Clean and renewable energy is now flowing from Atlantic Wind Power Corporation's 30.6-megawatt wind farm at Pubnico Point in southwest Nova Scotia. Today, the Honourable Robert Thibault, Member of Parliament for West Nova (on behalf of the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada), the Honourable Chris d'Entremont, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Argyle (on behalf of the Honourable Cecil Clarke, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy) and Aldric d'Entremont, the Warden for the Municipality of Argyle, joined executives from Emera, Nova Scotia Power and the wind farm in Pubnico to celebrate the grand opening of the state-of-the-art facility, the largest in Atlantic Canada. Pubnico Point wind farm was first conceived in 2001. Nova Scotia resident owners of Atlantic Wind Power Corporation spearheaded years of development work to bring the project to a reality. The Government of Canada will provide $8.8 million in funding over 10 years to the $50 million project through the Wind Power Production Initiative (WPPI). "Nova Scotians - and all Canadians - want to protect our environment and address climate change. At the same time, they want our country to lead the world in the development and use of renewable energy technologies," said Mr. Thibault. "Atlantic Wind Power's Pubnico facility reflects that desire, and I congratulate all the partners for their vision to lead us into a new era for energy." "The Nova Scotia government's energy strategy, along with Nova Scotia Power's voluntary efforts to procure renewable energy sources and the diligent work of the Municipality of Argyle, helped open the door for this development," said Charles Demond, President of the operating company, Pubnico Point Wind Farm Inc., and Vice President of Atlantic Wind Power Corporation. "Further, the WPPI played an important role in closing the inherent cost gap between renewable energy and traditional forms of electricity generation." The Pubnico Point wind farm consists of seventeen V80 wind turbines (manufactured by Vestas), each with a nameplate generating capacity of 1,800 kilowatts (30.6 megawatts in total). It is estimated that the wind farm will produce 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year - enough to service up to 13,000 average households. This equates to a reduction of approximately 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. The wind farm is owned by Atlantic Wind Power Corporation Ltd. and certain funds managed by Creststreet Capital of Toronto. The day-to-day operator of the wind farm is also Atlantic Wind Power Corporation. The Government of Canada's approach to climate change is focused on making the right choices for Canada. This will ensure that the actions taken produce long-term and enduring results while maintaining a strong and growing economy. FOR BROADCAST USE: A state-of-the-art wind power facility, the largest in Atlantic Canada, opened today at Pubnico Point in southwest Nova Scotia. Robert Thibault, Member of Parliament for West Nova, joined local and provincial officials for the opening. The Government of Canada provided funding for the project through the Wind Power Production Incentive. For more information, media may contact: Ghyslain Charron Tom Ormsby Media Relations Director of Communications Natural Resources Canada Office of the Minister Ottawa Natural Resources Canada (613) 992-4447 Ottawa (613) 996-2007 Lori Messenger Charles W. Demond Assistant to Charles W. Demond President Pubnico Point Wind Farm Inc. Pubnico Point Wind Farm Inc. Telephone/Fax: (902) 835-3352 (902) 835-3340 Cell: (902) 456-6160
