Lakeshore Advance, 2013-01-23, Page 1414 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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Gerd Potts
Diiector Business Development
and Project Manager
Grand Bend Wind Farm for
Northland Power Inc.
Ontario's
electricity system
is undergoing
significant change
- for the better.
•
•
nity News
http://grandbend.northlandpower.ca
Wind Power - An Important
Part of Ontario's Long -Term Energy Plan
by Gord Potts
Keeping the lights on
Most of us don't give a lot of thought to where our power
comes from. We flick a switch, and the lights come on.
However, we are on the cusp of significant change in Ontario.
Our economy is undergoing a transformation, moving away
from traditional manufacturing jobs towards increased focus
on high-tech and service industries. At the same time, we are
more aware than ever of the pressing need to address climate
change. Our aging electricity infrastructure, including the
province's nuclear plants, needs to be refurbished to ensure it
can continue to function effectively and affordably past 2oi5.
In addition, Ontario's population is growing — by 2030, it is
expected to rise by approximately 28 per cent - an additional
3.7 million people.
To address all of these changes, in solo
the province released its Tong -term energy
pian. The strategy was designed to ensure
that our province can meet the needs of our
evolving economy and changing electricity
needs, while continuing to provide
affordable electricity and ensuring a
cleaner, greener future for Ontarians.
Wind outpacing coal
Part of the plan is ensuring that Ontario has
the right mix of energy sources to ensure
a balanced, reliable, modern, clean, and
cost-effective system. Renewable power,
including wind, is an important part of this
mix. Wind power is an affordable energy
source - once constructed, a wind turbine
consumes no fuel or water, and produces
zero emissions.
2012 marked a significant milestone for
wind energy in Ontario. For the first time
ever, wind power exceeded electricity
Intelligent energy for a greener planet
produced by coal output. Last year, wind -generated power
supplied three per cent of the province's electricity,
compared to 2.8 per cent of power generated by coal.
Compare this to a decade ago, when coal -powered electricity
produced a quarter of the province's electricity.
Ontario's electricity system is undergoing significant change —
a change for the better. I encourage you to learn more about
Ontario's long-term energy plan, which can be found here:
http://www.energy.gov.ors.ca/docs/en/MEI_LTEP_en.pdf.
For additional information about wind energy or the Grand
Bend Wind Farm, please visit our website or contact me at
grandband®northlandpower.ca. Let's work together to build
a clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy system that Ontario
can be proud of.
Coal use has
dropped by
almost
since 2003
Ontario has shut down
1lof tts 19 coal units
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By the end of 2013
17of the 19 coal units
will be shut down I
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By the end of 2014
the use of coal will be
discontinued
completely
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•Source: Ontario Ministry of Energy
http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/clean-energy-in-ontario/
Northland Power is an Ontario -based company with over 25 years experience developing,
NORTHLAND
owning and operating facilities that produce and sell clean and green energy POWUR