Wind industry welcomes Ontario's continued commitment to a clean energy future - Cost-competitive wind energy can deliver major benefits to municipalities

OTTAWA, May 30, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) today welcomed the Ontario Minister of Energy's continued commitment to a clean energy future and a growing role for communities as the province continues to modernize its electricity system. Minister Bob Chiarelli also announced the current Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) program for large renewable projects will be replaced by a competitive procurement process.

"Ontario's progressive approach to renewable energy development has successfully attracted billions in new investment and helped revitalize the manufacturing sector and wind energy is now a very cost-competitive source of clean, renewable electricity generation," said Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. "We look forward to reviewing details of the announcement today and working with the government and all stakeholders in the days ahead to establish new long-term renewable energy targets and stable and ongoing new procurement opportunities through processes that will help ensure that projects are developed in a responsible and sustainable manner."

Municipal engagement and consultation is an important part of the renewable energy development process. CanWEA created the industry's first Best Practices Guidelines for Community Engagement and Public Consultation to help its members enhance local communications about wind energy developments. The guide was informed by the feedback of municipal officials and stakeholders.

"College students are graduating to good jobs in a homegrown industry and hundreds of millions of dollars are right now flowing into communities across the province. First Nations groups are showing significant interest in partnering in renewable energy projects as they continue to seek new ways to protect our environment while using land productively. We look forward to working together to create the stable policy framework required to ensure that clean energy jobs and investments will continue to flow into Ontario," said Hornung.

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 on behalf of its more than 400 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. To join other global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country's electricity from wind by 2025. The document WindVision 2025 - Powering Canada's Future is available at www.canwea.ca.

SOURCE: CANADIAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION

Ulrike Kucera, Media Relations Officer
Office: [phone] ext. 228
Celluar: [phone]