Study Finds Significant Opportunity for Atlantic
Canada Wind Exports to U.S.
OTTAWA, July 9 /CNW/
A recent study by Massachusetts-based Power Advisory LLC, commissioned by
the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), has found significant
potential for wind energy exports from the Maritime Provinces to the United
States northeast.
Ever-increasing demand for green energy in the U.S. presents an emerging
opportunity for wind energy developers in the Maritimes, however there are
barriers that must be addressed in order for Canadian producers to gain
access to that growing market.
The study noted that that the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and
Prince Edward Island could develop more wind energy than the region could
use - between 5,500 and 7,500 MW. Conversely, just across the border,
legislated renewable energy mandates in six New England states require
significant increases in green electricity. Recent shortages of renewable
energy suggest that New England will not be able to produce locally the
required amounts of renewable energy. The study estimates the New England
mandates will require about 4,200 MW of renewable energy capacity over the
next 11 years - about 60 per cent of which could come from wind.
"We see there is a huge market and we also see there will be a strong value
for wind energy coming from Canada," says Jean- Francois Nolet, CanWEA's
Quebec and Atlantic Canada Policy Manager. "The task now is to ensure our
producers will have an easier access to this growing market."
Nolet says the cost of getting Canada's wind energy into the US -
specifically inter-jurisdictional (both provincial and international)
transmission tariffs and physical constraints - are the main challenge.
Competition for jobs is another factor, as many U.S. states are increasingly
interested in using wind energy to spur local economic development.
John Dalton of Power Advisory LLC agrees there is a window of opportunity
for the provinces to take the specific actions outlined in the report for
the benefits offered by wind generation development to be realized. A first
step would be to put forward a united voice to articulate the benefits of
exports from Canada.
"The Maritimes have a wind resource that can play a key role in helping New
England reach its renewable energy targets cost- effectively," says Dalton.
"This can be a win-win for both regions."
CanWEA expects the Power Advisory study will lend significant support to the
Atlantic Energy Gateway Initiative which was announced by the Federal
government in March of this year. The initiative commits $4 million, over
two years, to the development of additional renewable energy supplies in
Atlantic Canada, and the selling of the resulting surplus energy to the
United States.
The Canadian Wind Energy association (CanWEA) is a non-profit industry
association representing more than 420 members in the wind energy industry.
CanWEA promotes the responsible development and application of all aspects
of wind energy in Canada, including the creation of a suitable policy
environment.
(c) 2009 Canada Newswire. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All
rights Reserved.
|