Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) announces annual award winners at 30th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Montreal, Quebec

MONTREAL, Oct. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Every year, the Canadian wind energy industry celebrates visionary leaders and clean energy pioneers during its Annual Conference and Exhibition.  The event - the largest wind energy conference in Canada – hosts more than 1,500 professionals from the wind energy industry and accommodates over 100 exhibiting companies.

This year, CanWEA presented awards that recognize organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the Canadian wind energy industry. Our 2014 award winners are:

R.J. Templin Award: Frédéric Côté, General Manager, TechnoCentre éolien
First awarded in 1985, the R.J. Templin Award recognizes an individual who or organization that has undertaken scientific, technical, engineering or policy research and development work that has produced results that have served to significantly advance the wind energy industry in Canada. .

Group Leadership Award: Millbrook First Nation
First awarded in 2001, the CanWEA Group Leadership Award recognizes a government, corporation or non-profit organization that has contributed significantly to the advancement of wind energy in Canada.

Individual Leadership Award: Gavin Lowe, Operations Manager, Renewables at Suncor Energy;        Prix du leadership individuel: Hugues Girardin, Boralex, Vice-président, développement chez BORALEX: First awarded in 2003, the CanWEA Individual Leadership Award is presented to an individual working for a CanWEA Member in the wind energy industry who has, through their efforts and body of work over time, contributed significantly to the advancement of wind energy in Canada.

Friend of Wind Award: Mike Barnard (Barnard On Wind); Claude Canuel (former Mayor, Matane); Nicole Appleby (former Mayor, of New Richmond); François Roussy (former Mayor, Gaspé)
First awarded in 2009, the CanWEA Friend of Wind award is presented to individuals or groups in recognition of outstanding voluntary contributions to advancing awareness of the benefits of wind energy at the community level in Canada.

Matt Holder Community Connection Award: Jim Wilgar, GDF SUEZ Canada
First awarded in 2012, the Matt Holder Community Connection Award recognizes an individual working for a CanWEA member who embodies responsible, sustainable development through a commitment to understanding a Canadian community and forming meaningful community relationships built on mutual respect and trust.

Wind Energy Project Award: Parc éolien Montérégie, Kruger Énergie Awarded for the first time in 2013, this award highlights the exceptional commitment to responsible and sustainable development through initial development, community engagement, permitting, and construction.

About CanWEA:

CanWEA is the voice of Canada's wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. Join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and for insight on industry issues join the conversation at www.windfacts.ca.  

For Canada to be a world leader in the production of clean wind energy, CanWEA believes we can and must reach a target of producing 20 per cent or more of our electricity. Learn more at www.canwea.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Wind Energy Association

For photos or biographies of awards winners, please contact: Ulrike Kucera, Media Relations Officer, Canadian Wind Energy Association, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]; Noémie Prégent-Charlebois, Conseillère, TACT Intelligence - Conseil, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]