Canada - Brookfield Power Completes Canada’s Largest Wind Farm

Brookfield Power announced today that it has completed both phases of the Prince Wind Energy Project, located northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The Prince Wind Energy Project is comprised of 126 wind turbines extending over nearly 20,000 acres. With a total installed capacity of 189 megawatts (MW), Prince is now the largest wind farm in Canada.

The first phase of the project, consisting of 99 megawatts was commissioned on September 21, 2006; and, phase two, consisting of 90 megawatts, was commissioned on November 19, 2006. Both phases were awarded 20-year power supply agreements under the Ontario Government’s request for proposals for new renewable energy supply. Construction of the wind farm began in September 2005, creating over 300 on-site jobs at its peak. 15 full-time staff will be employed to manage the wind farm now that it is fully operational.

"The completion of our first wind development represents a major achievement for Brookfield Power - increasing our total capacity to almost 3,800 MW and expanding our renewable power portfolio in Ontario to almost 1,200 MW,” said Harry Goldgut, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brookfield Power. "In a little over a year we have constructed Canada’s largest wind farm. It's a tribute to the members of the local communities, our employees and construction partners and everyone else who supported this development, including all levels of government."

"Ontario is now Canada's leading wind power generator thanks in part to the opening today of the Prince wind farm," said Energy Minister Dwight Duncan. "I want to thank Brookfield Power for their investment in Ontario's green energy future."

The Prince Wind Energy Project will produce enough clean, renewable energy to power 40,000 homes on an annual basis.