TransCanada Corporation has brought two wind farms online in Quebec. The company has announced the completion of both the Montagne-Sèche project and also phase one of the Gros-Morne wind farm.
Combined, the wind farms will produce 159 MW of renewable energy. Both wind farms are part of the Cartier Wind Energy project. In 2004 crown-owned utility Hydro-Québec Distribution awarded TransCanada and partner Innergex Reneable Energy Inc. a six project, 740 MW wind energy contract. Located in the region of Gaspesie, Iles-de-la-Madeleine and the Regional County Municipality of Matane all of the wind farms are under 20-year power purchase agreements.
According to the press release, the Cartier Wind Energy project will now be made up of just five wind farms, instead of six, that will combine to generate 590 MW.
Now, almost exactly seven years after winning the contract, TransCanada has completed all but one project. The company expects the final phase, the 111 MW phase 2 of the Gros-Morne-Sainte-Madeleine wind farm, to reach commercial operation by December 2012.
With the completion of Montagne-Sèche and phase one of Gros-Morne, TransCanada's wind portfolio has a generation capacity of 429 MW. This number, however, pales in comparison to the overall electric assets the company owns. The self-proclaimed leading infrastructure company in North America, TransCandada commands approximately 10,800 megawatts (MW) of power generation spanning all of Canada and the U.S. Northeast.
In addition to generating electricity, the company also controls a massive North American natural gas pipeline that spans more than 35,500 miles. TransCanada is also embroiled in the growing international controversy and debate about the Keystone XL pipeline which would transport oil from Alberta's oilsands to American refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.
TransCanada is showing little signs of slowing its growth. According to CEO Russ Girling the company, which posted a net income of CND$1.2 billion in 2010, is "positioned to complete another $12 billion of new projects that are expected to come into service by 2014." Company shares were trading up nearly 2 percent at the end of Tuesday's trading session.
Image Credit: archer10 (Dennis) via Flickr
Joseph Baker is a freelance writer living in Vancouver BC. His areas of focus include renewable energy, sustainability and climate change.
Any opinion contained in this article is solely that of the writers, and does not necessarily shapes or reflect the editorial opinions of Energy Boom.
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