Canada becomes 12th country in the world to surpass 2,000 MW of installed wind energy capacity

    OTTAWA, Dec. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Wind Energy Association
(CanWEA) today announced Canada has officially become the 12th country in the
world to surpass 2,000 MW of installed wind energy capacity. Wind currently
supplies about 1 per cent of Canada's electricity demand, with 85 wind farms
representing approximately 2,246 MW of generating capacity producing enough
power to meet the needs of 671,000 homes.
    Global leaders in installed wind energy capacity include Germany at
23,300 MW; the U.S. at 20,413 MW; Spain at 15,900 MW; China at 9,000 MW; and
India at 8,757 MW. Over the past ten years, global wind energy capacity has
continued to grow at an average cumulative rate of over 32 per cent. Between
now and 2020, close to $1 trillion (US) in global investment is projected to
bring global installed capacity to well over 500,000 MW.
    "Surpassing the 2,000 MW mark represents a significant milestone for the
wind energy industry in Canada. We believe, however, that we have only
scratched the surface in terms of the role wind energy can and must play in
Canada's clean energy future," said Robert Hornung, President of CanWEA.
"Achieving our industry goal of meeting 20 per cent of the country's
electricity needs with wind energy by the year 2025 will generate $79 billion
(CDN) in new investments, create more than 52,000 new jobs, and provide
economic development opportunities for rural communities throughout Canada."
    Wind Vision 2025 - Powering Canada's Future, argues that Canada has the
potential to make wind energy one of Canada's next great economic
opportunities, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing
other environmental concerns.
    "In order for Canada to become a world leader in wind energy we need
federal and provincial governments to play a strong leadership role in
establishing a stable, long-term policy framework to support wind energy
development going forward," said Hornung. "Given the pressure on our current
manufacturing sector, wind energy represents a tremendous opportunity that can
help diversify and renew our industrial base."
    Ontario is the current provincial leader with installed wind energy
capacity at 781 MW. Quebec follows at 531 MW; Alberta at 524 MW; Saskatchewan
at 171 MW; Manitoba at 103 MW; Prince Edward Island at 72 MW; and Nova Scotia
at 61 MW. Over the coming year it is anticipated that every province will be
generating some electrical power from wind - and there is a clear consensus at
all levels of government on the need to move towards a more sustainable
electricity future.

    CanWEA is the voice of the wind energy industry, actively promoting the
responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy throughout Canada on behalf
of its more than 400 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves
as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy and its
social, economic and environmental benefits. To join other global leaders in
the wind energy industry, CanWEA believe Canada can and must reach its target
of producing 20 percent or more of the country's electricity from wind by
2025. The document Wind Vision 2025 - Powering Canada's Future is available at
www.canwea.ca

For further information: Ulrike Kucera, Media Relations Officer, (613)
234-8716, ext. 228, Mobile: (613) 867-4433