Ontario ended the year with 3,489 MW of wind power installations supplying over 3% of the province’s electricity demand. Quebec and Alberta follow, with 2,859 MW and 1,471 MW respectively.

In 2014, over 98% of new capacity in the Canadian wind market came from five manufacturers, with Siemens and GE supplying over 50% of all wind turbines, followed by Vestas, ENERCON and Senvion. Several of these companies have now established manufacturing supply chains in Ontario and Quebec, with new facilities expected in coming years.

The 37 new wind energy projects commissioned in Canada in 2014 represent over CAD 3.5 billion (EUR 2.5/USD 2.8bn) in investments. Wind energy has now brought economic growth and diversification to more than 100 rural communities across Canada. Of the 37 new wind energy projects installed in 2014, 15 projects also include significant ownership stakes from First Nations, Municipal Corporations or local farmers.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 AND BEYOND

The Canadian wind energy industry is well positioned to build on growth achieved in 2014 as provincial governments continue to consider their new electricity supply choices for the next decade. The industry anticipates that a lot of the uncertainty that currently exists around the scope and pace of future wind energy development will be addressed in 2015. Since 2011, new wind farm construction has averaged almost 1.4 GW a year and it is expected to maintain that level of growth for at least the next couple of years as projects under construction or under contract come online.

This coming year will also see new wind energy contracts awarded in Ontario, a new Energy Strategy in Quebec, and a new climate change framework in Alberta that may open the door to accelerated wind energy development in that province. Wind’s cost-competitiveness, scalability, environmental performance and economic benefits provide a strong foundation that ensures that Canada’s electricity future will include a strong and growing role for wind energy generation.

Source: Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWea)