Benefits to Canada

Wind energy is the world’s fastest growing energy source and is becoming a mainstream supplement to traditional power generation. The environmental, economic and social benefits of wind energy are particularly significant today, given the mounting evidence linking greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. However, the considerable technical barriers that affect wind energy systems operating in the Canadian climate and geography have thus far hindered widespread deployment of wind energy in Canada.

Anticipated outcomes and achievements of the WESNet research program offer major benefits to the Canadian wind energy sector:

• State of the art research innovations furthering Canada’s position as a world leader in the wind energy field
• Higher penetration of wind energy in electrical grids resulting in a reduction of green house gas emissions and reliance on foreign fuel supplies
• Empowered manufacturing sector to compete on the international market for wind turbine components and small wind turbines
• Enhanced employment in the wind sector

WESNet will contribute directly to the training of more than 100 highly qualified personnel to enter jobs in wind energy fields related to engineering, technology development, design, process development and project development. Indirectly, it will create jobs in the manufacturing and trade sector across the country. Industry Canada (2005) predicts that Canada’s wind industry could achieve $1.8 billion annually from the manufacture, installation, and service of wind turbines alone, providing 13,000 high-quality jobs by 2012.