Canada makes detectable progress in wind

Canada remains a small time player in the wind energy business, however some progress has been made.

According to figures released by the Global Wind Energy Council, Canada has moved into the top ten nations in terms of wind energy capacity added in the year ended 08. Canada added 523 MW of wind power capacity in 2008, placing us ahead of all countries except the U.S., China, India and six European nations.

Canadian capacity was expanded by an impressive 28%, the same as the global average. The U.S., however, increased its own capacity by 50%, from 16.8 GW to 25.2GW. Apparently the financial crunch is thought to be hitting this expansion trend hard for 2009. It remains to be seen whether Obama's initiatives will kick in to re-energize the situation.

The total Canadian capacity moves to 2.3 GW. Canada is one of several countries in this range of between 1 and 4 GW total capacity.

Canada's wind energy association is called canwea, the Canadian Wind Energy Association.

Following are some upcoming 2009 conferences taken from their website.

Opportunities in Canada's Wind Energy
Supply and Value Chains
Toronto, Ontario
February 18-19, 2009

Wind Project Siting,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
April 1-2, 2009

Wind and Power Systems
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Montreal, Quebec
May 20-21, 2009

Successfully Operating Your Wind Farm
Calgary, Alberta
December 9-10, 2009