A new report shows Ontario’s production of wind energy has doubled over the past four years.
According to 2013 electricity data from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), wind energy saw an increase to 3.4 per cent in 2013—up from three per cent the previous year. In other words, between 2009 and 2013 wind energy has increased from 2.3 TWh to 5.2 TWh. Based on information from IESO and the province’s Ministry of Energy, 2013’s production was enough to power nearly 550,000 average homes in Ontario.
“Wind energy is an excellent choice when new electricity supply is required,” Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) president Robert Hornung, told Construction Canada Online. “Wind energy will continue to provide security for ratepayers and taxpayers, with considerable upside environmental, health, and local community benefits.”
Additionally, the reliance on nuclear energy increased throughout 2013 to 59.2 per cent of the total production, while hydro was up to 23.4 per cent. Gas energy decreased to 11.1 from 14.6 per cent, while coal continued to decline to 2.1 per cent.
“Ontario’s electricity system will continue to evolve over 2014 and beyond with the introduction of solar energy to the grid, demand response, and wind generation developing critical mass as well as the nuclear refurbishment program,” said IESO’s president Bruce Campbell.
