Wind energy poised to deliver climate, economic solutions

The Honourable Jim Carr, centre, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, on his way to deliver a keynote address at the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s 2017 Annual Spring Forum in Gatineau, QC on Wed., April 5. (CNW Group/Canadian Wind Energy Association)

Federal Natural Resources Minister Carr delivers closing keynote address to CanWEA summit

GATINEAU, QC, April 5, 2017 /CNW/ - The strategic value of Canada's vast clean energy resources was in the spotlight as key political and wind energy industry leaders gathered for the Canadian Wind Energy Association's (CanWEA) annual Spring Forum, held April 4-5 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy Hotel in the National Capital Region.

The event featured a keynote address from the Honourable James Gordon Carr, the federal Minister of Natural Resources, who outlined his government's efforts to ensure Canada will compete and thrive in the ongoing global transition to a low-carbon economy.

The forum's line up of expert speakers examined wind energy's role in that shift, delving into the opportunity to foster economic growth with policies that signal the need for investment in new emission-free electricity and green infrastructure, and investment to encourage electrification and bolster clean energy exports.

Vice-president of public affairs at the American Wind Energy Association, Peter Kelley used his keynote address on the forum's opening day to discuss the future prospects for wind energy development in the U.S. and the potential impact of President Donald Trump's policies. Business leaders also weighed in on what the future holds for clean technology in the Trump era, concluding the new administration is unlikely to stop the rise of renewable energy in the face of plummeting technology costs and state-led climate change initiatives. In fact, delegates heard growing demand for carbon-free electricity in the U.S. Northeast represents a significant new growth opportunity for Canada's wind energy sector.

Forum participants also heard about new wind energy procurement in Saskatchewan as it moves to 50 per cent electricity generation capacity from renewable energy by 2030, and how the industry is well-positioned to deliver new affordable, emissions-free electricity to Ontario and Quebec when it is needed.

Quotes
"It's clear that wind energy's time has come. My message is a very simple one: our government is committed to addressing climate change, and we know that wind power will play a critical role in those efforts."
- The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"To make real headway on cutting carbon pollution and to spark clean growth, we need to power more and more of our activities and industries with clean, emissions-free electricity. We have the resources and we have the technology. By pricing carbon, making strategic investments in new transmission infrastructure, and setting smart limits on emissions from natural gas generation, we can ensure Canada remains competitive in the rapidly advancing low-carbon economy."
- Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association

Background

• More than 120 wind energy professionals, including representatives from leading global companies, attended CanWEA Spring Forum 2017.
• Canada has nearly 11,900 MW of installed wind generating capacity, which is the eighth largest wind energy fleet in the world. To learn more, please visit the Wind Markets section of CanWEA's website.
• Making the shift to clean electricity, a recent op-ed appearing on the Policy Options web site, outlines how Canada can build on its renewable energy advantage.
• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has issued a request for proposals for clean energy with rules favouring renewable technologies like wind, either alone or blended with large hydro.
• CanWEA's groundbreaking Pan-Canadian Wind Integration Study demonstrates that provinces across Canada can reliably integrate the large amounts of renewable energy that will allow them to meet their economic and climate change goals.

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association

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 about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. Join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more at www.canwea.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Wind Energy Association

For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact: Lejla Latifovic, Senior Communications Advisor, Canadian Wind Energy Association, 613-608-8226, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.canwea.ca