TORONTO, Jun 29, 2009 -- BUSINESS WIRE

Ontario, Canada was hailed as North America's wind energy leader recently at an international conference in South Korea, where George Smitherman, Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, accepted the 2009 World Wind Energy Award.

The World Wind Energy Association presented its annual award to Minister Smitherman for his "outstanding achievements in making Ontario the leading wind energy jurisdiction in North America." The international association also recognized the Minister's role in championing Ontario's Green Energy and Green Economy Act, calling the recently adopted legislation a decisive step toward establishing a strong domestic wind industry in the province and making it a worldwide green leader.

The World Wind Energy Award has been handed out annually since 2002 to international leaders who have made extraordinary contributions in the development of wind energy worldwide. Minister Smitherman is the first Canadian recipient of the award. He joins past recipients from Brazil, China, Denmark, Egypt, Germany and India.

QUICK FACTS

-- Ontario is the leading wind capacity jurisdiction in Canada, with almost 1,000 megawatts of wind capacity, equivalent to the consumption of about a quarter of a million average Ontario households.

-- Ontario's Green Energy Act is expected to create more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs by the end of 2012, and see the investment of at least CAD$5 billion in infrastructure and expenditure on renewable generation and conservation.

"Ontario has worked very hard to become a leader in the use of clean, renewable wind power. By supporting innovative green energy programs, we're attracting investment, creating jobs and securing a healthier future for all Ontarians," said Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario.

"The first major event I spoke at as Ontario's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure was before this group last year, at the 2008 World Wind Energy Conference. I said then that Ontario was poised to move quickly to make a difference in greening our society and I am pleased to say that today - one year later - we are well on our way," said Minister Smitherman.

"Under your political responsibility and leadership in the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Green Energy Act was initiated and adopted as a decisive step in establishing a strong domestic wind industry in Ontario and making the province a green leader in North America and worldwide," said Dr. Anil Kane, President, World Wind Energy Association.

SOURCE: Ontario

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