The Rural Voice, 2005-09, Page 71f
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it
s
e
AgriTech
Taking a second look at wind power
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
For most Canadians, the arrival of
fall renews concerns and frustrations
over energy procurement. whether
due to soaring hydro hills, high
natural gas rates or outrageous oil
prices.
In mid-August, we saw oil prices
reach new highs and. for the first
time. gas prices topped $I.
There has been ample talk ot
energy conservation. after threats of
rolling blackouts. due to the long
period of record-breaking temper-
atures this summer. And of course.
we haven't been paying the actual
cost for that electricity. so expect
prices to rise.
When hydro rates were frozen at
4.3 cents/kWh. in the fall of 20K)2. we
knew it couldn't last. Currently. in
my area of Huron County. the cost
sits at five cents for usage below 750
kWh then is upped to 5.8 for
everything over that.
Because of the ongoing concern
for this pro% ince', ability to produce
enough energy to supply our
residents. there has been renewed talk
of wind power. particularly along the
Lake Huron coastline.
I wrote about wind power several
months ago and thought this might h''
the time to rev isit the issue by
returning to the websites to see how
the industry has progressed.
The Ontario Power Generation
Corp.. www.opg.com. announced
four years ago the creation of a wind
farm, in co-operation with British
Energy (Canada). The result is the
towering windmills of Huron Wind.
which can be glimpsed along the
shoreline north of Kincardine.
Today. on their website. they
promote the purchase of Ever(Green
Energy Green Power and list a few
large corporations who have
participated. through the Green
Power Recognition Program.
The Huron Wind site.
www.huronwind.com has lots of
information on wind power
generation along with a fun and
educational tour with Professor
Propellerhead for the children.
Though the information is dated,
the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and
Housing. www.mah.gov.on.ca. has a
page of general information about
wind power. how the turbines work
and several locations across the
country with wind farms. To find the
information. enter wind energy in the
search box. There are contacts tor
Huron and Bruce County planning
departments and a link to the
Canadian Wind Energy Association.
ww w.cwea.ca.
The CWF.A homepage has a very
telling map of the country. which
depicts the production of w Ind powci
by regions. Ontario falls far behind
other regions. producing lust I5mW.
far behind Alherta's 275mW and
Quebec's 212. The current total
production capacity for the country i.
57(1mW. One Bruce nuclear reactor
can put out 750mW.
However. there is a tremendous
amount of capacity on the honion.
More than I963mW ot capability are
either currently being constructed or
hay e been proposed. Of that total.
I2-1-3ni'i will be derived from
Quebec projects w ith 355rW
planned tor Ontano.
This is _just one step towards
reaching the Ontario government's
target to have five per cent of
electrical capacity provided by
renewahle sources by 2007 and 11)
per cent by 2010.
The association sees a potential too,
halt to two-thirds of that output to
come froilr w ind-generated power
The CWEA ('WE - also has a new. ser' n c
for those interested. to stay inlornieu
with regards to developments in the
wind industry across the country
The CW I•.>'s 2 I st annual Conterence
and Trade Show is being held in
Toronto Iroan October 16-19.
Registration and agenda information
can he found on-line.
Contact lite at )lheckerVw ightunan.La
or through The Rural Voice office.
with topic suggestions or feedback.°
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