Wind energy in Quebec: $10 billion
in new investments, thousands of jobs and significant regional
economic benefits by 2015

Montreal, Canada - By 2015 Quebec’s
wind energy industry will develop 4,000 MW of generating capacity,
resulting in $10 billion in new investment, thousands of new jobs,
and significant economic benefits for those regions hosting wind
farm developments, according to a study commissioned by the
Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) by the firm Hatch in
collaboration with economist Jean-Claude Thibodeau.

“These are more than just numbers, these are real jobs for
people living in areas of the province that have been hit by
declines to other industries,” said Robert Hornung, president of
CanWEA.

“Wind energy is the fastest growing source of new electricity
generation in Canada and Quebec is a leader in capturing the
economic benefits associated with this growth. With its growing
wind energy manufacturing sector, and plans to install more than
600 MW of new wind energy projects annually for each of the next
five years, Quebec has succeeded in making wind energy an engine of
economic development.”

The survey of projected economic impacts in Quebec determined
that wind farm construction will create more than 37,000 jobs
between 2005 and 2015. More precisely 5,210 jobs p/y would be
created between 2011 and 2015.

In addition, nearly 1,400 permanent jobs will be created in the
operation and maintenance of the wind farms by 2015. Finally, by
2015, landowners and municipalities will stand to earn up to $25
million in annual from these wind energy developments.

Currently Quebec has 663 MW of installed wind energy capacity,
generating enough electricity to satisfy the needs of approximately
230, 000 homes. The study released today also quantifies the
economic benefits of the wind energy industry in Quebec for the
period 2005-2010.

2025 WindVision 2025-A Strategy for Quebec



In its report titled, WindVision 2025: A Strategy for
Quebec, which was unveiled yesterday at CanWEA’s
annual Conference and Exhibition, CanWEA advocates that Quebec
continue to develop wind power beyond 2015 by adding an additional
8 000 MW by 2025.

This new phase would generate $25 million in investments and
would create 90 000 jobs during the construction phase, or
more than 9 140 jobs p/y between 2016 and 2025 as well as
4 500 permanent operations and maintenance jobs by 2025. The
economic benefits for landowners and municipalities would climb to
$95 million per year.

For details on the economic study Economic Benefits
of the Wind Energy Sector in Quebec (2005-2025) (in
French only): href=”http://www.canwea.ca/windvision_quebec_e.php”
target=”_blank”>http://www.canwea.ca/windvision_quebec_e.php

CanWEA is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively
promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on
behalf of its more than 400 members. A national non-profit
association, CanWEA serves as Canada’s leading source of credible
information about wind energy and its social, economic and
environmental benefits.