International Power plc has announced that its Canadian renewable energy development subsidiary International Power Canada, Inc (IPC) has signed power purchase agreements (PPA) with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) for two wind power developments.
OPA will purchase all of the energy generated by both the 99 MW Erieau and 99 MW East Lake St. Clair wind projects. IPC estimates that each project will cost approximately CAD$300 million and expects both facilities to come online in 2013.
The company also said that it will soon begin construction of a wind farm in British Columbia. Located on Vancouver Island, just west of Port Hardy, the Cape Scott 1 wind power project will span 864 acres. The project will employ 55 Vestas V100 1.8 MW turbines which will combine to generate 99 MW. BC Hydro and Power Authority has signed a 20-year PPA to buy all of the wind farm's electricity. IPC expects to the project to reach commercial operation in 2013.
The Cape Scott 1 project is International Power's first renewable energy project in BC. The company's operating wind power portfolio currently consists of five wind farms in the Canadian Maritimes and Ontario which total 287 MW. It also has another 600 MW of wind generation projects, including Cape Scott Wind Farm, under construction or development in Ontario and British Columbia.
With these announcements International Power continues to further its stake in a growing Canadian wind market. In February 2011, France-based GDF Suez (Paris: GSZ.PA) created the world's largest utility when it purchased 70 percent of International Power plc. In 2010, GDF Suez posted revenues of US$121.5 billion.
Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of GDF SUEZ, said, “These projects demonstrate excellent further growth in our wind energy portfolio in Canada. Our global expertise and skills in wind power enable the Group to strengthen and continue to grow its position in renewable energy. With these projects we are pleased to reinforce our commitment to environmentally clean power generation within a country that shares the same priority.”
Image Credit: 416style via Flickr
Joseph Baker is a freelance writer living in Vancouver BC. His areas of focus include renewable energy, sustainability and climate change.
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