Wind Energy: Nova Scotia's First Wind Farm Opens
PUBNICO, NOVA SCOTIA, May 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Clean and renewable energy is
now flowing from Atlantic Wind Power Corporation's 30.6-megawatt wind farm at
Pubnico Point in southwest Nova Scotia. Today, the Honourable Robert Thibault,
Member of Parliament for West Nova (on behalf of the Honourable R. John
Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada), the Honourable Chris
d'Entremont, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Argyle (on behalf of the
Honourable Cecil Clarke, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy) and Aldric
d'Entremont, the Warden for the Municipality of Argyle, joined executives from
Emera, Nova Scotia Power and the wind farm in Pubnico to celebrate the grand
opening of the state-of-the-art facility, the largest in Atlantic Canada.
Pubnico Point wind farm was first conceived in 2001. Nova Scotia resident
owners of Atlantic Wind Power Corporation spearheaded years of development
work to bring the project to a reality. The Government of Canada will provide
$8.8 million in funding over 10 years to the $50 million project through the
Wind Power Production Initiative (WPPI).
"Nova Scotians - and all Canadians - want to protect our environment and
address climate change. At the same time, they want our country to lead the
world in the development and use of renewable energy technologies," said Mr.
Thibault. "Atlantic Wind Power's Pubnico facility reflects that desire, and I
congratulate all the partners for their vision to lead us into a new era for
energy."
"The Nova Scotia government's energy strategy, along with Nova Scotia
Power's voluntary efforts to procure renewable energy sources and the diligent
work of the Municipality of Argyle, helped open the door for this
development," said Charles Demond, President of the operating company, Pubnico
Point Wind Farm Inc., and Vice President of Atlantic Wind Power Corporation.
"Further, the WPPI played an important role in closing the inherent cost gap
between renewable energy and traditional forms of electricity generation."
The Pubnico Point wind farm consists of seventeen V80 wind turbines
(manufactured by Vestas), each with a nameplate generating capacity of
1,800 kilowatts (30.6 megawatts in total). It is estimated that the wind farm
will produce 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year - enough to
service up to 13,000 average households. This equates to a reduction of
approximately 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
The wind farm is owned by Atlantic Wind Power Corporation Ltd. and
certain funds managed by Creststreet Capital of Toronto. The day-to-day
operator of the wind farm is also Atlantic Wind Power Corporation.
The Government of Canada's approach to climate change is focused on
making the right choices for Canada. This will ensure that the actions taken
produce long-term and enduring results while maintaining a strong and growing
economy.
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FOR BROADCAST USE:
A state-of-the-art wind power facility, the largest in Atlantic Canada,
opened today at Pubnico Point in southwest Nova Scotia. Robert Thibault,
Member of Parliament for West Nova, joined local and provincial officials
for the opening. The Government of Canada provided funding for the
project through the Wind Power Production Incentive.
For further information: media may contact: Ghyslain Charron, Media
Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, (613) 992-4447; Tom Ormsby,
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Natural Resources Canada,
Ottawa, (613) 996-2007; Lori Messenger, Assistant to Charles W. Demond,
Pubnico Point Wind Farm Inc., Telephone/Fax: (902) 835-3352; Charles W.
Demond, President, Pubnico Point Wind Farm Inc., (902) 835-3340,
Cell: (902) 456-6160
