CANWEA wind energy news in The Windfair Newsletter: Canada in top ten for wind energy capacity

The country also experienced the ninth largest increase in wind installations in 2012, adding 936 MW of new wind farms in year when global installed wind capacity increased by 19 per cent to 282,000 MW. Also link to the Global Wind Energy Council’s 2012 market statistics.

Poll shows strong support for wind energy development

A 69 per cent majority of Ontarians agree the province should be a leader in wind and solar energy production compared to only 20 per cent who disagreed and 11 per cent who were neutral, according to the results of a January Oracle Research poll commissioned by CanWEA. The same poll also found that solar and wind energy were the preferred choice for new electricity generation, beating out natural gas, hydro and nuclear. Also link to a February public opinion poll published in Quebec’s Le Devoir newspaper, which found 79 per cent of respondents support continued wind energy development in that province. (Document in French only).

 Health Canada tweaks turbine study

Health Canada has expanded the scope of its wind turbine noise and health study, including an assessment of infrasound and non-noise related impacts in the survey. The department made the changes after receiving more than 950 comments on its original study design, published in July. "The Expert Committee has carefully reviewed and evaluated the feedback received during the public consultation and has taken it into consideration when developing the revised research design,” says Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

Environmental impact assessment filed

Regulators are reviewing the environmental assessment statement for a proposed 30 MW wind farm between Hermanville and Clearspring on the northeastern tip of Prince Edward Island. “Our goal with this proposed wind development is to provide increased renewable energy for the people of this province,” says Energy Minister Wes Sheridan. “The environmental impact assessment is an important step in ensuring we do that in the most responsible and environmentally sustainable way possible.”

Panel dismisses wind farm appeals

Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal has dismissed two appeals against Capital Power’s 104.4MW Port Dover and Nanticoke (PDN) project. The tribunal ruled the appellants failed to show the feed-in tariff wind farm would seriously harm human health or the environment and upheld the renewable energy approval granted by the Environment Ministry. It did, however, make recommendations with respect to further studies and monitoring of the impact of the project on tundra swans.

CanWEA corrects documentary assertions

A recent documentary about wind energy on CBC’s Doc Zone requires clarification and fact-checks concerning wind energy development in Canada and around the world, says CanWEA. The producers of Wind Rush did not contact the association for comment and made no effort to present the view of regulators, utilities or electricity system operators. ‘While the wind energy industry welcomes a fact-based debate about energy choices, CanWEA is disappointed that the film did not provide multiple nor balanced expert views on a wide range of issues discussed, particularly with respect to wind energy and human health,” says CanWEA.

Upcoming events:
CanWEA Connections Montreal
 March 27, 2013
 Montreal, Quebec

CanWEA Western Forum 2013
 April 11-12, 2013
 Vancouver, BC