After a lengthy delay, the government of Quebec has issued a call for 700 MW of wind energy. The first round of 450 MW of installed capacity is expected to be open to all wind energy developers, while the second round of 250 MW is designed to incent the further development of wind projects with First Nation involvement.
As with previous provincial calls for wind power, applicants must adhere to Quebec's local-content requirements. Per the Quebec government, 60% of the total cost of the wind project must be spent in the province, including 30% of the total cost of a turbine spent in the Gaspesie-Les-Iles-de-la-Madeleine and MRC de Matane regions.
The announcement is part of Quebec's strategic energy plan to produce 4 GW of wind energy by 2015. About 1,057 MW of wind energy has been added to the grid already, according to the province.
‘Quebec's wind energy potential is immense,’ says Jean-Frédérick Legendre, Québec regional director for the Canadian Wind Energy Association. ‘Almost 4,000 MW will be installed by 2015, and we expect to increase this objective by another 8,000 MW between 2016 and 2025 – which will generate $25 billion in investment and create 90,000 jobs in the construction phase.’
He adds that revenue to landowners and municipalities could reach as much as $25 million annually by 2015.
