Enbridge opens wind farm in Kincardine

KINCARDINE, ONTARIO - Enbridge Inc. officially opened the 115-turbine Enbridge Ontario Wind Power project in the Kincardine area, which is capable of producing up to 190 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity.

“The Kincardine community and the province of Ontario are leading the way in their support of wind and emerging clean energy technologies and Enbridge is pleased to contribute to advancing our shared goals through our own green and renewable investment program,” said Jim Schultz, Senior Vice President, New Ventures, Enbridge Inc. “Wind power projects like our wind farm in Kincardine further position Enbridge to become a significant player in developing one of the fastest growing sectors of electricity generation in North America.”

Enbridge began construction in July of 2007 and the wind farm began supplying green energy to the provinceÂ’s electricity grid in August 2008. The final turbine came online in mid-February 2009. When operating at peak capacity, the 115 turbines can provide enough electricity to power between 50,000 and 60,000 homes.

A ceremony held in Kincardine was attended by The Honourable George Smitherman, OntarioÂ’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce, Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer and other dignitaries.

Minister Smitherman helped mark the occasion held at the electrical substation by switching on one of the 115 Vestas V82 turbines that are located on the 20,000-hectare project site. Each turbine is 80 metres high and includes a three-blade rotor 82 metres in diameter.

“I’m delighted to join Enbridge and the community of Kincardine to celebrate this significant milestone,” said Minister Smitherman. “Today at more than 950 megawatts online, Ontario leads the rest of Canada in wind power capacity. With the added impetus of the province’s proposed Green Energy Act, the McGuinty government will continue to transform Ontario’s electricity generation system into one of the cleanest, greenest energy supply mixes in the world.”

“Bringing on new, clean sources of renewable supply provides valuable spinoff benefits to our community while helping to clean up our air,” said Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “We’re proud of our role as an energy powerhouse. Keeping the lights on keeps Ontario competitive and benefits families and businesses across the province.”

“Kincardine is already the leader in providing Ontario with clean electricity,” said Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer. “Our community slogan is ‘great energy, balanced life.’ We are proud of our role in producing clean, sustainable energy for all Ontarians and in helping to build the province’s swiftly emerging green economy.”

“Today the Province of Ontario moved towards a cleaner energy economy,” said Janet Holder, President of Enbridge Gas Distribution. “With the official opening of the Enbridge Ontario Wind Power facility, the second largest wind farm in Canada, Ontario is well on its way to meeting its targets for renewable energy. We thank all levels of government, our business partners, the landowners who host the turbines and the people in this community for helping make green energy a priority.”