Wind Energy Is Lowest-Cost Source of New Electricity Generation in Canada

With a 10-year average annual growth rate of 20 per cent, wind energy has been the largest source of new electricity capacity for over a decade - and it is also the cheapest source of new electricity.

In 2018, newly commissioned wind projects brought the total national wind energy capacity close to 13,000 MW. And competitive auction results in Saskatchewan and Alberta confirmed the wind industry’s ability to continue to deliver record-low prices.

Total installed wind energy capacity in Canada is now 12,816 MW, enough to meet the needs of approximately 3.3 million homes. Wind energy production meets approximately 6 per cent of Canada’s electricity demand – and more than that in jurisdictions such as P.E.I. (28 per cent), Nova Scotia (12 per cent), Ontario (8 per cent), Alberta (7 per cent), and New Brunswick (7 per cent).

For 2019, the Canadian Wind Energy Association CanWEA expects to see approximately 1,000 MW of new wind energy projects commissioned, including the projects contracted under Alberta’s first renewable energy procurement and projects currently under construction in Ontario, as well as the Western Lily wind farm that came on line in southeast Saskatchewan in January.

“Each year, the wind energy industry provides more clean and low-cost electricity to Canadians and increases its contributions to a modern and reliable electricity grid. Wind is a success story across the country – helping meet electricity demand in a way that is consistent with Canada’s climate ambitions and that benefits landowners, rural and Indigenous communities, and the economy,” says Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association.