Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces support for Wind Energy Project in Prince Edward Island

August 20, 2010

NORTH CAPE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the Government of Canada is providing support for an innovative research project in Prince Edward Island which will advance Canada’s understanding and use of wind power as a clean energy source.  He was joined by Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
 
“As generating electricity from fossil fuels becomes more costly, and concerns mount about the environmental impact of doing so, our Government is actively supporting research into vital new technologies,” said Prime Minister Harper. 
 
The Government is supporting the Wind Energy Research and Development Park and Storage System project in Prince Edward Island through the five-year Clean Energy Fund announced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan.  With a focus on research, the project will add to Canada’s understanding of the production, operation, storage and installation of small and large wind energy technologies. 
 
“Together with other existing alternative energy sources, this project will bring the proportion of the Island’s electricity generated by renewable power sources to about one fifth,” said the Prime Minister.  “This is a significant accomplishment for Prince Edward Island that will contribute to Canada’s goal of becoming a clean energy superpower.”
 
This joint initiative with the Wind Energy Institute and the Government of Prince Edward Island will be the first combined wind energy and storage system in the Province.
 



Backgrounder

WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PARK AND STORAGE SYSTEM

The Harper Government is taking action to ensure a healthy environment through a range of initiatives including many under the Clean Energy Fund introduced in Canada's Economic Action Plan. 
 
The Clean Energy Fund will invest $795 million over five years in research, development and demonstration projects to advance Canadian leadership in clean energy technologies.
 
This includes large-scale carbon capture and storage demonstration projects as well as smaller-scale demonstration projects of renewable and alternative energy technologies.  Three carbon capture and storage projects have already been announced from the fund, totalling $466 million.
 
In response to a call for proposals under the Renewable and Clean Energy portion of the Clean Energy Fund, close to twenty successful projects have been selected.  Up to $146 million will be invested over five years in these projects to support renewable, clean energy and smart grid demonstrations, with evidence of collaboration among partners and the potential to reduce barriers to technology implementation.
 
Prince Edward Island Initiative:

Under the initiative announced today in Prince Edward Island, the Government of Canada will provide up to $12 million over five years to support the Wind Energy Research and Development Park and Storage System in Prince Edward Island. 
 
The Wind Energy Institute of Canada will build and operate the 9-10 Megawatt wind turbine cluster and electricity storage system, which will be located near its facility in North Cape, Prince Edward Island. 
 
The project will contribute to research and development of wind energy and other innovation activities.  In addition, the project will provide new collaboration opportunities between the wind park operators and key industry stakeholders.