by Karen Gventer

On March 20, Ontario Power Generation and British Energy (Canada) Ltd. announced Huron Wind, a 50/50 joint venture to develop a wind energy facility near Kincardine, Ontario.

Huron Wind intends to have wind generators in service in early 2002. A wind turbine has been in operation adjacent to the Bruce Nuclear Plant since October 1995 and its success has led to the proposed installation of a wind farm on the site. The single 0.6 megawatt (MW) generator has been the extent of commercial wind generation in Ontario. With 137 MW of wind-generated energy, Canada has lagged behind Germany's 5,500 MW and the United States' 2,600 MW capacities. World-wide, there are about 17,000 MW of wind turbines installed.

"We have a long way to go to join our industrialized partners in the 21st century," stated Jim Salmon, past-president and board member of the Canadian Wind Energy Association. "I am absolutely delighted with today's announcement of a 10 MW wind farm."

He also pointed out that wind generated electricity does not produce any green-house gases, acid-rain-causing sulphates, smog-causing nitrates, radioactive waste, particulates, toxic airborne mercury, or any other pollutants.

"A wind turbine pays its entire environmental penalty within its first three to six months of operation," said Salmon. "A coal plant never does."

Wind energy has been growing worldwide at a rate of 25 to 35 per cent per year for the last decade. It is outpacing all other major forms of energy Ñ natural gas, coal, oil, nuclear, and others. In Canada, it grew by about 10 percent last year, a rate generally lower than the world average. Private companies such as Huron Wind are not the only ones interested in increasing the amount of renewable energy being produced in Ontario. Renewable energy co-operatives have been sprouting up across the province over the past few years.

The Hearthmakers Energy Co-operative was formed in the Kingston area in 1998, and has been active in promoting wind energy. Members of the Co-op feel that the City of Kingston and the immediate geographic area have sufficient wind resources to support the installation of wind turbines for the generation of electricity. On the economic side, the price of wind energy has dropped significantly over the past 20 years, and it is predicted that this price will continue to drop.

On April 3, Kingston became a municipal leader for those supporting and encouraging the growth of wind energy. The City of Kingston passed a motion stating that the City would "actively pursue energy efficiency through the wind generation of electricity in the Kingston area." In addition, the City of Kingston requested that Utilities Kingston, "at its discretion . . . work collaboratively with the Hearthmakers Energy Co-operative, or any other group that wishes to further [the] development of sustainable energy generation and energy efficiency." Kingston's Council also broadened its endorsement of wind generation by requesting that "the Government of Ontario promote, aid and facilitate the development of wind generated electricity." Lastly, the City of Kingston resolved to "circulate this motion to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and our neighbouring municipalities, so that other municipalities may be encouraged to follow the City of Kingston's example."

"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is something that has to be done at all levels of government, including municipal," said Steve Garrison, Kingston City Councillor for District 8. "We need to look at new alternative sources of energy to meet the energy needs of our community," he stated, "Wind energy is cleaner, and it is also renewable."

As wind energy production increases across Canada and in Ontario, it is likely that Kingston will see wind turbines rise in its vicinity soon

Karen Gventer holds an Ecology degree from the University of Guelph, and is an Environmental Consultant with clients from across Ontario.