Canada’s wind energy industry installed 239 MW of new wind energy capacity in 2005, shattering the previous annual installation record of 122 MW established in 2004.

As a result, Canada’s total installed wind energy capacity grew by 54% in 2005 and now stands at 683 MW. The year 2006 promises even more dramatic growth, with a minimum of 500 MW of new energy capacity slated to be installed across the country this year. Robert Hornung, president of Canadian Wind Energy Association, says there were more than $400 million worth of projects in 2005 and investment in five new Canadian manufacturing facilities. Hornung says as much as 8,000 megawatts could be in place by 2015, representing 16 per cent of electricity produced by new generating facilities being built over the next decade.