What is wind power?

Wind energy is a form of solar energy. Sunlight falling on oceans and continents causes air to warm and rise. Cooler air rushes into the space left by the risen air, which in turn generates surface winds. Wind systems capture the energy in wind using large blades mounted on tall towers called turbines. The wind turns the blades and the blades rotate a generator, which produces electricity.

back to top

What are the environmental benefits of wind energy?

Wind energy is a very clean source of energy. It does not produce air emissions or hazardous waste.

• Wind energy offsets the emissions of other energy sources, thus reducing our contribution to global climate change.
• Using wind to produce enough power for over 200 homes (2,000,000 kWh) of electricity instead of burning coal will leave 900,000 kilograms of coal in the ground and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2,000 tonnes. This has the same positive impact as taking 417 cars off the road or planting 10,000 trees.
• Wind energy generation avoids the production of greenhouse gases, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, heavy metals and particulate matter.
• Using wind energy in place of conventional energy reduces the generation of smog and acid rain.

back to top

Wind Energy Technology

How do wind turbines work?

Wind turbines consist of large blades mounted on tall towers attached to a horizontal shaft. As the wind blows, these blades cause the shaft to turn. The shaft is attached to a generator located inside the head, or “nacelle” of the turbine, which creates electricity.

back to top

Wind Energy Statistics

What is Canada's total installed wind energy capacity?

Canada’s current installed capacity is 1,451 MW – enough to power 440,000 Canadian homes or the equivalent to 0.5 % of the total demand. For more up-to-date figures visit the Canadian Wind Energy Association.

back to top

What is the potential for wind energy production in Canada?

Current information shows that Canada has a significant wind energy resource. For example Northern Quebec (Nunavik) alone has enough wind resource to produce 40% of Canada's electricity needs. Besides wind resource, you also need to consider how much wind energy can be effectively integrated into our electricity grid and at what cost. Based on the experience of other countries it is possible for Canada to achieve 20% of its electricity needs from wind energy, which would be 50,000 MW of wind energy capacity.

back to top

Wind Energy Economics

How much does wind energy cost?

In good wind areas, the costs of generating electricity from wind ranges from 6 to 12 cents per kWh. While this is still somewhat higher than the costs associated with the construction of some other new forms of electrical generation facilities, wind energy has no fuel costs and operating costs are continuing to decrease every year (by 3–5%) partly as a result of greater efficiencies and economies of scale. In contrast, most conventional generation costs are going up and steadily increasing Natural Gas prices are making wind power economics more and more attractive.

back to top

Wind Energy Policy

What policy supports can be used to stimulate the use of wind energy?

Around the world, a supportive policy framework has been critical to the development of every energy source. Wind energy is no exception.

Many policy mechanisms are available to encourage the development of wind energy. The varying effectiveness of these mechanisms is reflected in the different growth rates of wind energy in various countries.

Compared to other nations, Canada does not have a very strong policy framework for wind energy.

back to top