“Canada’s 37 new wind energy projects in 2014 represent over $3.5 billion in investment,” said Robert Hornung, CanWEA president. “Wind energy has now brought economic growth and diversification to more than 100 rural communities across Canada through land lease income, tax payments and community benefits agreements. Of the 37 new wind energy projects installed in 2014, 15 projects also include significant ownership stakes from First Nations, Municipal Corporations or local farmers.”
 

2014 also produced more evidence of the cost-competitiveness of wind energy, as the year ended with Quebec awarding contracts for 446 MW of new wind energy projects that will provide power at an average cost of 6.3 cents / kWh. While every market is unique, it is clear that wind energy can compete on cost with virtually all forms of new electricity generation, including nuclear, hydroelectric, and coal-fired power.
 

“Wind energy has demonstrated that it is a proven, reliable and cost-competitive energy solution that drives economic diversification, environmental sustainability and rate-base value,” Hornung noted. “These attributes will continue to drive wind energy growth in 2015, where we expect a minimum of another 1,500 MW of new wind energy capacity to come on line."  

For 2015, Hornung expects to see new wind energy contracts awarded in Ontario. This, combined with a new Energy Strategy in Quebec, and a new climate change framework in Alberta, may open the door to accelerated wind energy development in that province, he noted.
 

The Canadian market was split between seven wind turbine manufacturers in 2014, however, over 98 per cent of new wind capacity came from five manufacturers. Installations were led by Siemens, followed by GE, Vestas, ENERCON and Senvion. Siemens and GE supplied more than 50 per cent of wind turbines in 2014.