CanWEA celebrates Global Wind Day with redesigned Power of Wind Contest

An international celebration of wind energy's growing contribution to meeting electricity needs around the world

OTTAWA, June 16, 2014 /CNW/ - To mark the 6^th Annual Global Wind Day on June 15^th, the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is proud to launch a redesigned annual Power of Wind Contest.

Students entering or in post-secondary education are eligible to submit multimedia or written entries on the theme of why wind energy is important to Canada's future energy mix.

"We are very proud to celebrate the growing contribution that wind energy is making around the world and right here in Canada," said Robert Hornung, President of CanWEA. "Wind energy projects are currently strengthening local economies in communities across Canada and providing high-skilled jobs for college graduates. Our Power of Wind Contest provides Canadian students with an effective platform to present their views and make their voice heard in support of wind energy."

Last year's Power of Wind Contest attracted over 500 thoughtful and creative blogs on how students can be part of a renewable energy future. This year, there will be four bursary prizes of $1,000 each awarded for the best blogs, the most creative submissions and the best use of multimedia.

Participants can submit their blog entries until September 15th, 2014. The winners will be announced at CanWEA's Annual Awards Banquet in Montreal on October 29, 2014.

Additional information on last year's winners, contest rules, and terms and conditions can be found on CanWEA's Friends of Wind website.

Wind by the numbers in Canada:

Number of wind farms: 189
Number of turbines: 4,683
Current installed capacity: 8,417.52 MW
Current per cent of Canada's electricity demand met by wind: 3.0
Enough electricity to power close to 2 million Canadian homes
Global ranking for total installed capacity: 9

About Global Wind Day

Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on June 15th. It is a day for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world. It is also a day for discovery of the work that has already begun by pioneers around the world. Global Wind Day is the day when you can visit wind farms, meet experts, attend events and find out everything you want to know about wind energy. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) coordinate Global Wind Day through a network of partners such as CanWEA. On June 15th, thousands of public events are organized all over the world and right here in Canada.

Read more about Global Wind Day activities around the world: www.globalwindday.org.

To view the list of Global Wind Day events happening in Canada, visit: http://canwea.ca/global-wind-day/.

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)

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

SOURCE: Canadian Wind Energy Association

or interview opportunities, please contact: Ulrike Kucera, Media Relations, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), Tel: [phone] ext. 228 | Mob: [phone], Email: [email protected]