Wind Power

Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy source in Canada and around the world. It represents a clean and sustainable source of energy, in abundant supply. Today, the wind energy industry is offering consumers a major opportunity to make the transition to a global economy based on renewable energy.

In every province and territory, numerous proposals for industrial expansion are appearing on the horizon. By 2012, according to estimates, initiatives at the federal and provincial/territorial government levels, whether planned or already underway, are expected to reach a total installed capacity of over 5600 megawatts (MW) of wind energy, representing investments totalling C$8.4 billion dollars. This has led to an increased interest in how to use this growing industry to enhance economic development in Canada and eliminate bottlenecks at various points along the supply chain.

The Size of the Industry

• In Canada, the wind energy industry includes some 150 companies, roughly one third of which are technical consultants. Even before the multiplier effect created through indirect jobs, this creates approximately 1000 jobs nationwide.
• The industry is composed of component manufacturers, developers, distributors, suppliers (also called designers or installers) and consulting firms.
• By 2012, with concerted efforts by Canada’s industry and governments, the wind energy sector could be supplying Canadians with more than 13,000 high-quality jobs in such fields as manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. Investments in Canadian content could well reach C$1.8 billon per year.
• Though the wind energy industry includes many specialists, typical employment (with the exception of administrative positions) is as follows, in decreasing order of prevalence:
• Developer
• Designer or installer
• Research engineer or design consultant
• Wind assessment consultant
• Regulation/implementation consultant
• Turbine maintenance worker
• Electrical maintenance worker
• Manufacturing plant worker
• Technical sales

Investing in Wind Energy

• The Wind Power Production Incentive program (WPPI) from the Government of Canada was initially intended to provide financial support for the installation of 1000 MW of new capacity by March 2007. With its 2005 budget, however, the Government of Canada announced its commitment to quadruple the scope of the WPPI program, raising the production target to 4000 MW.
• Today, Canada imports nearly all of its large turbines and components, with the towers being the one notable exception. To capitalize on these early gains and make its presence felt, Canada must acquire the leading-edge know-how it takes to construct wind turbines and most turbine components. The country already has a powerful industrialized economic base to support the work, as well as the expertise needed to manufacture many components, such as towers, rotor blades, frames and reversers. Recent commitments have been made for rotor blade manufacture and nacelle assembly in Quebec.
• In large, networked wind farms (30 MW), wind turbines represent up to 70 percent of the total capital investment, making them the most important element of the wind energy industry. The remaining 30 percent is dedicated to project preparation and wind farm operations.
• The nacelle assembly, rotor blades, tower, and foundation represent the main components of a wind turbine.
• The cost breakdown for a wind turbine is as follows: nacelle assembly (60 percent), rotor blades (16 percent), tower (15 percent), and foundation (9 percent).
• With the benefit of solid, long-term government support and strong “partnerships” involving Canadian companies, the national wind energy industry could make great strides, including the following activities:
• Establishing production facilities for nacelle assemblies and rotor blades;
• Technology transfer, prototyping, and product marketing;
• Purchasing capital equipment;
• Training wind turbine construction technicians, component manufacturing technicians, and wind turbine service and repair technicians; and
• Conducting research and development (R&D;) activities on basic wind energy components, such as rotor blades and power electronic systems.

Producing Wind Energy

• As of August 2005, production capacity for wind energy is 590 MW in Canada.
• The Canadian wind energy industry has already surpassed its record for annual growth with the installation of 126 MW in the first six months of 2005, topping the previous record of 122 MW set in 2004.
• More than 300 MW of wind energy have been installed since 1999.
• In 2004, six Canadian provinces and the Yukon had wind energy production facilities; however, projects of various sizes are also planned for the coming years in all the provinces and territories.
• Wind energy has become very competitive compared to other, more conventional sources of energy.
• Wind energy systems are available in various sizes, ranging in power from a few hundred watts (for personal or limited commercial applications) to 4.2 MW (for large-scale production facilities).
• Canada is home to a number of retailers, distributors, and manufacturers of small- and medium-sized wind turbines for powering homes or small businesses.
• Today, the majority of wind turbines in use are located at sites where the average wind speed is at least six meters per second (m/s), or 22 km/h.