Canada - Wind energy an important contributor to Kyoto Plan

The Government of Canada's new plan to honour Canada's Kyoto Protocol commitments illustrates that wind energy can make a meaningful contribution to meeting Canada's future electricity needs in a manner that produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Expansion of Canadian wind energy production clearly illustrates that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can bring important economic and environmental benefits to Canada. "The installation of a minimum of 4,000 megawatts (MW) of wind energy capacity in Canada over the next five years would produce enough electricity to meet at least 15% of the projected increase in Canada's electricity demand for the entire period between 2000 and 2010", says Robert Hornung, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) President. "More is possible, but the measures identified in the Kyoto plan represent an important first step toward the exploitation of Canada's massive wind energy potential."

In addition to producing no greenhouse gas emissions, wind energy produces no air pollution or water pollution, and generates no solid, toxic, or nuclear wastes. It also promises significant investment and job creation, particularly in rural areas where wind energy projects also strengthen municipal tax bases and provide an additional source of income to landowners. The 2005 Federal Budget made the critical commitment to expand the Federal Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI) program's target from 1,000 MW to 4,000 MW. CanWEA applauds the fact that today's Kyoto Plan has facilitated the implementation of this commitment by removing the "caps" that currently limit the maximum amount of support any province or project can receive under the program. In addition, the Kyoto Plan indicates that wind energy projects may be eligible to create greenhouse gas emission reduction offsets, something that will be absolutely essential if the Kyoto plan is to meet its wind energy targets.

"The Kyoto plan provides a foundation upon which Federal and Provincial governments, in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol's market mechanisms, can take further actions to facilitate the continued development of Canada's rapidly expanding wind energy industry", says Hornung. "CanWEA is committed to working with all levels of government to meet and exceed the contribution expected from wind energy in this plan."