CANADA

Canada has a long history of utilising its huge wind energy potential but despite Government support for its development, the country has not embarked on a vigorous wind power programme. At the present time no specific wind energy deployment rates have been set. However, Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change is the Government’s contribution to the First National Climate Change Business Plan and contains specific initiatives to support the research, development and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies. For example, the market for emerging renewable energies will be expanded by increasing the Government’s electricity purchases from emerging low- and non-emitting energy sources to 20%. The document outlines the broad policies to be adopted but the funding for the final package of measures will not be confirmed until the 2001 budget.

The Wind Energy Research and Development Program (WERD) is coordinated by Natural Resources Canada, a department of the Federal Government. The programme oversees technical development, resource assessment, test facilities and information/technology transfer. Moreover, the Government has formulated various financial incentives to encourage the deployment of wind power which, to date, has mostly been conducted by the private sector.

During the last years of the 1990’s there was considerable growth in the installed capacity but by end-1999 there was only 125 MW in place. It is reported that by end-2000 capacity had increased to 137 MW, of which 74% was located in Quebec and 25 % in Alberta.

COUNTRY NOTES (WIND ENERGY)

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