Canada recorded exceptionally strong growth in 2013 with a record of close to 1.6 GW of new wind energy capacity installed, placing it fifth globally, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).
The association says Canada sustains its position as a global wind energy leader, today ranking ninth in the world in total installed capacity with more than 7.8 GW of wind energy in operation – providing enough power to meet the annual needs of approximately 2 million Canadian homes.
‘Many provincial governments are on the threshold of meeting their initial commitments to wind energy development,’ explains CanWEA President Robert Hornung. ‘This wide support presents new opportunities to create stable and sustainable markets in Canada for future wind energy development.’
‘Most notably, the governments of Ontario and Quebec made commitments in 2013 to secure a combined 1,400 MW of new wind energy capacity over the next few years, which is the first step in building the foundation for robust, long-term markets for wind energy in Canada,’ Hornung adds.
This year, CanWEA says it expects Canada to see a new record for annual installations of wind energy, as new projects are under construction across the country.
