11 October 2006
North Cape, Prince Edward Island
A new facility designed to propel growth and development in
wind energy was officially opened today in North Cape,
Prince Edward Island. The Wind Energy Institute of Canada
(WEICan) supports the development of wind power generation
and wind energy-related products and services for Canadian
and international markets. "Canada's New Government will deliver an environmental
strategy that includes energy sources such as wind power to
ensure cleaner air for the health of all Canadians. The
Wind Energy Institute of Canada will strengthen our
country's position as a leader in wind energy research and
development and will help Prince Edward Island take full
advantage of the opportunities that exist in this growing
sector," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency (ACOA), who also spoke on behalf of
the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. The 7,860-square-foot building is equipped with
laboratories and workshop areas and is designed to meet the
needs of both large and small-scale projects. Work at the
institute will focus on testing and certification, research
and innovation, and public education. "Prince Edward Island is proud to have played a role in the
development of the wind energy industry, and as home to
Canada's official wind R&D site, we look forward to
continuing to advance this clean, renewable energy
resource," said the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince
Edward Island.WEICan is an independent, non-profit organization governed
by an appointed board of directors. It will work in close
collaboration with many partners including universities,
colleges and other research institutions, private sector
companies, governments and utilities."We applaud the cooperative efforts of both levels of
government to carve out a niche for Canada in wind energy
development," said Anne Forbes, Executive Director of
WEICan.The Government of Canada, through ACOA, has contributed
$3.5 million for the establishment of the Wind Energy
Institute of Canada under the Innovative Communities Fund.
Natural Resources Canada is providing $2 million over two
years for operating costs of WEICan. Through the PEI Energy Corporation, the Government of
Prince Edward Island has contributed a total of $930,000
through land and assets of the former Atlantic Wind Test
Site. The Province also contributes approximately $285,000
annually toward the Institute's operating costs. Funding
for the Institute also comes from the earnings of the North
Cape Wind Farm, which is owned and operated by the PEI
Energy Corporation.
FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:A new facility designed to propel new growth and
development in wind energy was officially opened today in
North Cape. Foreign Affairs and ACOA Minister Peter MacKay
and Premier Pat Binns were on hand to open the Wind Energy
Institute of Canada, a new centre that supports the
development of wind power generation and wind energy
related products and services for Canadian and
international markets. Work at the facility will focus on
testing and certification, research and innovation, and
public education.
For more information, please contact:
Anne Forbes
WEICan
902-882-2746
Sandra Lambe
Communications
PEI Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry
902-368-5286
selambe@gov.pe.ca
Lynn MacDonald
ACOA PEI and Tourism
902-566-7491
Lynn.macdonald@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Kathleen Olson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada
613-996-2007
