Wind-power backers say new incentives may 'green' oilpatch

May 25, 2002

Wind-power backers say new incentives may 'green' oilpatch

Vision Quest official sees Ottawa's fund boosting industry

CALGARY (CP)

A $260-million federal boost to Canada's wind energy industry could green up Alberta's oilpatch.

Ottawa has launched the Wind Power Production Incentive, which is expected to boost wind energy production by 500 per cent.

Wind farmers say the money could be a catalyst to a multibillion-dollar wind industry in Alberta.

"If I dream a little bit about what this could be - it could be huge," said Jason Edworthy, executive director of Calgary-based Vision Quest Windelectric Inc.

"This could stimulate a lot of economic growth here. It would be kind of like the tar sands, but all clean."

Through the program, the federal government will provide a financial incentive for the installation of 1,000 megawatts of new wind energy capacity in Canada over the next five years. That's enough wind energy to power about 250,000 households.

The aim of the program is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than three megatonnes annually by 2010.

Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal said the program will address climate change issues and improve air quality while spurring innovation in the wind power industry.

"The program will help this industry compete successfully in the marketplace and give consumers the option to choose cleaner energy sources, ensuring that future generations share the economic, social and environmental benefits of our natural resources," he said.

Wind energy works by transforming wind to electricity through turbines.

The wind spins rotors, which turn a generator shaft to produce electricity for distribution through high-voltage wires.

Vision Quest, which opened in 1996, has 67 turbines that produce 90 megawatts of wind power - enough electricity for 20,000 homes.

Its wind farm near Pincher Creek is located in one of the windiest areas in North America.

Calgary's C-Train system is powered by wind energy.

Edworthy said if the industry receives similar incentives from the province, or other sources, it could grow into a 1,000-megawatt industry in Alberta.

That would translate into roughly 10,000 jobs, he said.

"What this also means is consumers are more likely to ask for wind energy because it should cost a little bit less now," he said.

Consumers pay between $5 and $15 extra a month to have their energy produced from the wind.