Oct 19 2015
EDF EN Canada Inc., a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles, was presented with the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s (CanWEA) Wind Energy Project Award. The award was bestowed jointly to EDF EN Canada and Enbridge Inc. as co-owners of the 300 megawatt (MW) Blackspring Ridge Wind Project located in Alberta.
“The CanWEA Awards recognize and honour individuals, organizations and projects that have made significant contributions to advance the Canadian wind energy industry,” said Robert Hornung, CanWEA President. “The Wind Energy Project Award is presented to a commissioned Canadian wind energy project that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to responsible and sustainable development.”
The Blackspring Ridge Project, located in Vulcan County near the town of Carmangay, Alberta, started construction in May 2013 and reached commercial operation in just 362 days on May 12, 2014. The Project is comprised of 166 Vestas V100-1.8 MW wind turbines. With an investment of about CAD $0.6 billion, the project represents the largest investment in wind energy in Western Canada.
“Our community is very proud to be a part of such an important renewable energy project,” commented Kym Nichols, Mayor of Carmangay. “There are tremendous economic benefits to our community including the more than 350 jobs that were created during construction and another 20 permanent operations and maintenance jobs.”
The Alberta-based Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation committed CAD $10 million in support of the project. The CCEMC provides funding for projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Alberta adapt to climate change.
EDF EN Canada commissioned its first wind project, Saint-Robert-Bellarmin (80 MW), in October 2012, followed by Massif du Sud (150 MW), and Lac-Alfred (300 MW). The three projects are jointly owned by EDF EN Canada and Enbridge Inc. By the end of 2015, EDF EN Canada will have placed into service 1,374 MW of wind and solar in Canada which created employment opportunities for over 1,000 people in the development and construction phase.
Enbridge has invested approximately CAD $4 billion in renewable energy assets over the past five years, resulting in a portfolio of more than 1,600 MW of combined net generating capacity of green power projects.
Source: http://www.edf-en.ca/