As November ended, the Toronto-based company
International Power Canada marked a significant milestone in Ontario's innovative
Feed-in-Tariff renewable energy program when it became the first company to install locally manufactured turbines. The company accepted delivery of the turbines at its Pointe-Aux-Roches Wind Project -- the first to go under construction in the FIT program -- noting that they were made by
Vestas with Ontario steel processed by
Essar Algoma Steel.
International Power Canada President Mike Crawley noted that the milestone represents a significant boost not just to the immediate economy, but to the long-term employment prospects for the province. "These jobs are important ... the region is poised to become a clean energy powerhouse. With additional projects expected under FIT, there will be jobs for many years to come."
International Power Canada is the Canadian subsidiary of International Power Plc, formed when the company purchased AIM PowerGen Corporation in 2009. The $117 million wind farm at Point-Aux-Roches is expected to be completed in 2011.
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: David Timm, International Power Canada