Wind & Solar Energy in Canada

Wind and solar are significant and powerful global energy resources. From an emerging energy source twenty years ago, global wind energy capacity has matured as a competitive source of new electricity in today’s markets. Over the past ten years, wind energy has continued to grow at an average cumulative rate of 32%. By the end of 2008, installed capacity globally was greater than 120,000MW, with thousands more in development. Solar energy solar power development is growing 35% per year globally and is considered a market with great potential.

While Canada has been slow to capitalize on its excellent and vast wind and solar resources, in recent years the technologies have begun to play an increasingly important role in Canada’s electricity system. For example, Canada’s installed wind capacity was more than 3,300MW at the end of 2009 and continues to grow. While this is encouraging, it only begins to scratch the surface of the potential in Canada. The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) estimates there is potential in Canada for wind energy to meet 20% of our energy needs.

 

 

Developing Power Projects: Our Approach

1. Leverage all available data to identify the best prospective site
- Meso-scale mapping
- Analysis and correlation of available long-term data

2. Comprehensive resource assessment
- Installation of on-site meteorological towers and sensing equipment
- Long-term data acquisition and analysis, minimum 12 months

3. Nurture open, honest and respectful relationships with landowners and community leaders
- Public meetings, open houses, kitchen meetings

4. Competitive, innovative and flexible financial structuring on IPC and partner projects
- Ensures competitiveness in tenders

5. Pro-active and responsible environmental permitting
- Complex environmental screening and technical studies

  
 

IPC is a leading Canadian Renewable Power Developer

IPC was founded in 2001 and has quickly grown to become one of Canada’s largest renewable power companies. IPC’s first projects, the 99MW Erie Shores Wind Farm, was the largest operating wind facility in Ontario when it was commissioned in 2006. IPC successfully constructed and commissioned some of the first power projects under Ontario’s ground-breaking Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program. IPC is currently developing dozens of other projects in Ontario and throughout Canada.

  

 

 

  
         
         
 

©International Power Canada, Inc. 2010