CanWEA pleased by results of FIT program

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is encouraged by the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) announcement regarding the results of the Feed-in Tariff Program's Launch Application period.

The OPA stated in a release today that over 8,000 MWs of new renewable energy projects, 79% of which are wind energy projects, have applied for Feed-in Tariff contracts in the province. Many of these projects are "shovel-ready" and they are poised to deliver jobs and at least $5 billion in investment to Ontario.

"The number of applicants for Feed-in Tariff contracts clearly demonstrates that the Ontario Government's Green Energy Act has succeeded in putting Ontario on the radar screen of wind energy investors," said Robert Hornung, CanWEA President. "At a time when Ontario's industrial sector has been losing jobs, the interest generated by the OPA's Feed-in Tariff program has put in place the conditions to create thousands of new jobs in Ontario in manufacturing, construction, steel fabrication and services."

Over the last year the Ontario Government, through the OPA, worked to create North America's most progressive procurement program in the form of a European-style Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT). The FIT has attracted extraordinary interest in Ontario from developers, investors and manufacturers from around the world as it has promised a fair, open, transparent and stable procurement policy for new renewable energy development in Ontario. The FIT also ensures that at least 25% of project costs will be spent in Ontario.

"The FIT's open procurement mechanism is poised to bring Ontario billions of dollars of new investment in renewable energy projects. Our members have already invested millions in projects in an effort to bring them to a level of maturity that makes them immediately eligible for the FIT" Mr. Hornung said. "We expect that the Government and the OPA will recognize the investments and commitments that have been made and will award contracts, and associated grid capacity, in line with the policies outlined within the FIT program."

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 450 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.