The Government of Canada announced today that it is investing $10 million in a new renewable green energy wind turbine production plant being established in Trenton as a joint venture between Daewoo Shipbuilding& Marine Engineering Ltd. (DSME), of South Korea and the Province of Nova Scotia.
The investment, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is in the form of a $5 million repayable loan and a $5 million contribution for adjacent land improvements. DSME will establish a wind turbine tower and blade manufacturing facility in the former Trenton rail car plant, creating up to 500 direct jobs, with a total investment by the two levels of government and DSME of $90 million.
“Our government is delighted that a company with the resources and vision of DSME will undertake the manufacturing of wind turbines in Trenton,” said National Defence Minister Peter MacKay, on behalf of Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minster for the Atlantic Gateway. “This project puts Nova Scotia in the forefront of the green revolution and provides a legacy of long-term economic benefits for the people of Pictou County and the Province of Nova Scotia.”
In 2009 DSME acquired DeWind Inc., a US-based wind turbine engineering company, and announced plans to expand into the wind power sector and build a production plant in North America.
The Government of Canada’s decision to invest in this project is the culmination of more than 17 months of discussion between ACOA officials, the Province of Nova Scotia and DSME.
Minister MacKay noted that it is appropriate for the former Trenton rail car plant to begin producing wind turbines in an era when green energy production is becoming the leading source of electricity in the world. He recalled that Pictou County has been a centre of economic development in the province since before Confederation.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Defence Minister Peter MacKay today announced the Government of Canada is investing $10 million in a joint venture between DSME and the Province of Nova Scotia.
The project will see a new wind turbine production plant being established at the site of the former Trenton, Nova Scotia railcar plant. The investment, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is in the form of a $5 million repayable loan and a $5 million contribution for adjacent land improvements.
Minister MacKay said the project puts Nova Scotia in the forefront of the green revolution and provide a legacy of long-term economic benefits for the people of Pictou County and the Province of Nova Scotia.
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FOR INFORMATION:
David Harrigan
Director of Communications
ACOA Nova Scotia
902-221-1435
david.harrigan@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
