Wind energy in Canada – Current and future outlook

Canadian wind energy market is rapidly growing. At the end of 2011, the total installed wind power capacity was 5,265 megawatts (MW), enough to satisfy little less than 2.5% of Canada's electricity demand. This percentage is relatively small and wind power is still way behind coal and hydropower in terms of electricity generation but given Canada's enormous wind power potential as well as the growing popularity of wind energy, the role of wind power in Canada could soon become lot more important.

Wind energy is not only one of the most cost-competitive renewable energy sources (with the costs at around 10.5 cents per kilowatt-hour), it is also an excellent green job creator. In 2011, Canada wind power industry employed more than 7,000 people.

Canada is not only looking good in adding new wind power capacity with more than 6,000 megawatts in new wind energy projects which should be in the next five years installed across the country, mostly in Quebec and Ontario, but Canada is also looking exceptionally good as a wind turbine manufacturer, especially when it comes to manufacturing small wind energy systems.

Bear Mountain Wind Farm, British Columbia, Canada

Small wind energy systems have a rated capacity of 300 kW or less, and are mostly used to power homes, farms and small businesses. Canadian small wind industry is looking better than ever, and Canada is currently leading the world in small wind business, with most of turbines being exported to other markets. The 2011 report said that Canada accounts for 55% of the world’s manufacturers of turbines in the 30 to 100 kilowatt range. Canadian wind turbine manufacturers were exporting 87 percent of their sales in 2011, which not only brings many economic benefits to Canada, but it also helps improve Canada's position in global clean energy race.

It is really no surprise that Canada's small wind market is experiencing huge boom because small wind market follows large wind's growth, and the demand for wind power is constantly growing. The Canadian Wind Energy Association has outlined a future strategy for wind energy that should reach a capacity of 55,000 MW by 2025, enough to meet 20% of the country’s energy needs.

Besides hydropower, there doesn't seem to be any better renewable energy option for Canada than wind power, and wind power could easily become a major driving force that will improve Canada's position in global clean energy race.