Wind Energy
Wind is the world's fastest growing energy source with sustained world wide growth rates in
excess of 30% annually. By the end of 2005, world-wide wind-generated capacity was almost
60,000 megawatts (MW). Canada has 683.5 MW of installed capacity (March 2006) and the Canadian
market is growing by about 50% a year. Estimates suggest that wind generated electricity could
represent over 3% of Canadian electricity demand by 2015 from about 1% currently. According to
the Canadian Wind Energy Association, we have about 50,000 MW of developable wind resource-enough
to supply about 20% of Canada's electricity supply.
Improvements in technology have lowered the cost of wind generated power, so that today, wind
power can compete with traditional sources of generation. Manitoba is particularly well positioned
to capture a significant portion of wind generation. Initial testing has confirmed that Manitoba
has a world class wind resource and accessible sites. Because wind is intermittent, it must be
firmed and shaped. Manitoba Hydro has good firming and shaping capabilities. When the wind is
blowing, water can be stored in reservoirs. When the wind is calm, water is released to generate
power at the dam site ensuring that customers get firm power on demand. In addition, our wind
regime is most productive in the winter months when our peak demand for power occurs. Manitoba
has very good access to transmission lines so we can move the energy effectively and we have an
enthusiastic rural population that embraces wind development.
Learn about Manitoba Hydro's wind monitoring program at
Manitoba Hydro News Release on Wind Power or about wind power at
Canadian Wind Energy Association's web site.
Presentations:
General Overview of Wind
Power Development in Manitoba
Presentation to Canadian Wind Energy Association Conference,
October 18, 2004 - Winds
of Opportunity - Clean Power for Manitoba's Future.
News Releases:
Next Phase Of Manitoba Wind Strategy To Power 100,000 Homes: Chomiak - September 07, 2006.
Manitoba
To Host National Wind Energy Conference: Chomiak - September 01, 2006
St. Leon Celebrates 99-Megawatt Harvest with 63 Turbines Constructed
- March 10, 2006.
Energy Minister Announces Next Step in Plan to Further Harvest Manitoba's Wind-Power Potential
- November 21, 2005.
Southern
Manitoba Farmers Set to Harvest Province's First Wind Crop
- April 28, 2005.
Southern
Manitoba Community Home to One of Canada's Largest Wind Farm Projects
- December 3, 2004.
Wind Energy Related Links:
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