Catalyzing the potential of renewable energy in the Great Lakes economy

Vision Quest Windelectric builds, owns and operates wind power plants. Its major activities include wind prospecting, development, production, and product marketing. Currently, the facility operates 68 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 45.7 MW. A joint venture is currently under construction in southern Alberta where a 114 wind turbine array is being installed for operation in 2003 for a total capacity of 75 MW. It will be Canada's largest wind farm. Wind power offers competitive pricing, positive environmental and economic impact, and an incremental supply growth. Worldwide, wind-generated capacity exceeded 24,000 megawatts in 2002. Industry leaders are Europe, with 4,500 MW installed capacity, followed by the United States and India. In the past 5 years, wind power has seen a growth rate of 32 per cent. In the United States, wind farms are generating approximately 10 billion kWh annually. In Canada, there is more wind energy potential than current electricity use. In 2002, wind was being used as a power source in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon, for a total installed capacity of 205 MW. Green power marketing promotes the use of renewable energy sources. Green pricing offers customers the option to support investment in renewables by paying a premium on electricity bills to pay for the additional costs related to the development of renewable energy. There are 12 companies offering green power options in Canada. Premiums range from 2 to 7.5 cents per kWh. In the United States, 40 per cent of the customers have access to green power programs, and worldwide, 2 million customers are buying green power. The demand for green power can be stimulated through policy support such as credit emissions for reductions, financial incentives, government purchases, market access, common certification, and renewable portfolio standards. 6 figs