Ontario government nixes offshore wind project
The McGuinty government says
it's a no-go for the proposed offshore
wind projects until further
research has been conducted.
Although the government is committed to finding alternate ways to produce green energy to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2014, it cannot commit to a project without sufficient research and information.
"We need to base any future decisions on the best available scientific data," said Linda Jeffrey, Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources. "My ministry is working with our counterparts in the U.S. on offshore wind science and research to help ensure the protection of the Great Lakes."
Recent green developments include Sweden's newly installed 10 turbine Lake Vanern pilot project, which is one of the only freshwater offshore projects in the world. Another freshwater pilot project in Ohio for Lake Erie has just been proposed.
The Green Energy Act introduced in 2009 has helped Ontario become the leader for renewable energy in North America for wind and solar energy.
Currently there are no offshore wind projects in Ontario, but the ministry plans to stand by and monitor these two projects to refer to as scientific analysis. Ontario and the United States will work together towards any proposals in the future with the aim of protecting the environment on both sides of the Great Lakes.
"Offshore wind on freshwater lakes is a recent concept that requires a cautious approach until the science of environmental impact is clear. In contrast, the science concerning land based wind is extensive," said Minister of the Environment John Wilkinson.
Approval by the Ontario government for any renewable energy proposals requires extensive reports on the environment, the public, municipal and Aboriginal meetings, and noise assessments. To date, Ontario has the support of more than $16 billion in privatesector investments in the Green Energy sector. Also, 20 companies have made arrangements to begin or expand their operations in Ontario pertaining to renewable energy.
By 2018, Ontario wants 10,700 MW of renewable energy by wind, solar and biomass — the equivalent of the annual electricity requirements on two million homes.
Ontario is already diving into the problem. "Wind power has quickly become an important Ontario energy source and is growing our clean energy economy, creating more good jobs for Ontarians. We've already brought over 700 onshore wind turbines online and our Energy Plan will help us continue to build more wind power and position Ontario as a global leader in renewable energy," said Minister of Energy Brad Duguid.
A lot still needs to be done, and more money is needed to be invested into the long-term energy plan. It will cost $31.6 billion just for wind, solar, biomass and hydro collectively. Nuclear power is estimated to cost $33 billion, and gas, transmission and conservation will make up the remaining $22.8 billion.
The majority of the money will come from electricity consumers, and will be accumulated over many years. But the Energy Consumer Protection Act introduced last year will protect electricity and natural gas consumers from paying unfair prices. The plan is expected to stretch from 2010 to 2030.
For more information visit ontario.ca/environment.
Although the government is committed to finding alternate ways to produce green energy to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2014, it cannot commit to a project without sufficient research and information.
"We need to base any future decisions on the best available scientific data," said Linda Jeffrey, Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources. "My ministry is working with our counterparts in the U.S. on offshore wind science and research to help ensure the protection of the Great Lakes."
Recent green developments include Sweden's newly installed 10 turbine Lake Vanern pilot project, which is one of the only freshwater offshore projects in the world. Another freshwater pilot project in Ohio for Lake Erie has just been proposed.
The Green Energy Act introduced in 2009 has helped Ontario become the leader for renewable energy in North America for wind and solar energy.
Currently there are no offshore wind projects in Ontario, but the ministry plans to stand by and monitor these two projects to refer to as scientific analysis. Ontario and the United States will work together towards any proposals in the future with the aim of protecting the environment on both sides of the Great Lakes.
"Offshore wind on freshwater lakes is a recent concept that requires a cautious approach until the science of environmental impact is clear. In contrast, the science concerning land based wind is extensive," said Minister of the Environment John Wilkinson.
Approval by the Ontario government for any renewable energy proposals requires extensive reports on the environment, the public, municipal and Aboriginal meetings, and noise assessments. To date, Ontario has the support of more than $16 billion in privatesector investments in the Green Energy sector. Also, 20 companies have made arrangements to begin or expand their operations in Ontario pertaining to renewable energy.
By 2018, Ontario wants 10,700 MW of renewable energy by wind, solar and biomass — the equivalent of the annual electricity requirements on two million homes.
Ontario is already diving into the problem. "Wind power has quickly become an important Ontario energy source and is growing our clean energy economy, creating more good jobs for Ontarians. We've already brought over 700 onshore wind turbines online and our Energy Plan will help us continue to build more wind power and position Ontario as a global leader in renewable energy," said Minister of Energy Brad Duguid.
A lot still needs to be done, and more money is needed to be invested into the long-term energy plan. It will cost $31.6 billion just for wind, solar, biomass and hydro collectively. Nuclear power is estimated to cost $33 billion, and gas, transmission and conservation will make up the remaining $22.8 billion.
The majority of the money will come from electricity consumers, and will be accumulated over many years. But the Energy Consumer Protection Act introduced last year will protect electricity and natural gas consumers from paying unfair prices. The plan is expected to stretch from 2010 to 2030.
For more information visit ontario.ca/environment.
