Wind power

Wind power is the fastest growing source of energy in the world. The wind power industry creates new jobs, offsets emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants, and enhances security of electricity supply. It also generates billions of dollars in revenue every year.

Trends

Germany and Spain have become the wind industry’s undisputed global leaders through their advanced renewable energy policies. Those policies have led them to install 16,600 MW and 8,300 MW of wind power respectively.

Canada is lagging far behind many countries already reaping the economic and environmental benefits of wind power. Wind energy has tremendous potential in Canada, with thousands of kilometers of shoreline along our lakes and oceans.

Prince Edward Island is considering a proposal to supply 100 per cent of the province’s electricity with renewable energy.

If all the provinces and territories implement strong policies that ensure the wide manufacture and installation of wind turbines, it will be possible to develop more than 30,000 MW worth of wind power in Canada.

Economic benefits

Wind energy has become a multi-billion industry worldwide. In 2003, total revenues from the sale of wind-generated electricity, wind turbines, towers and development services reached nearly $28 billion. The industry employs more than 80,000 people in Europe alone.

Once considered prohibitively expensive, the cost of wind power has dropped remarkably during the past two decades because of economies-of-scale, larger turbines and experience on how to build, install and operate wind turbines more effectively.