The Canadian Wind Energy Sector

The Canadian Wind Energy Sector grew at an unprecedented rate of 51% between 2000 and 2006 and is continuing to thrive. Canada has a backlog of 5,786 MW of wind energy projects that have Power Purchase Agreements or are under construction (Source: CanWEA website).

Currently, Canada imports most of its turbines and is losing out on employment and new investment. It has been estimated that the Canadian Wind Energy Industry could employ up to 24,668 people by 2014, provided we achieve a similar manufacturing content as Germany, Spain, China and the U.S.

Manufacturing large wind turbines with a capacity of 1.0MW to 3.0MW capacity is considered part of the heavy industrial sector and requires a cluster of industries to provide the various manufacturing processes, such as casting, forging, machining, welding, heat treatment, surface coating, and gear cutting.

Regional Objectives

The region's objective is to identify and promote a regional cluster of companies that can provide components to the wind energy sector by creating a directory of suppliers who wish to participate in/are qualified for wind energy activities.

Southwestern Ontario Wind Energy Supply Chain Directory

Wind Energy Contacts

• For inquiries about locating in Waterloo Region, please contact: Catharine Gerhard, Business Development Officer, Canada's Technology Triangle Inc, 519-747-2541 x407 catharine@techtriangle.com
• For inquiries regarding R&D tax and financial incentives in the wind power sector, please contact: Rakan Aown, Director, Business Development, 519-747-8870, raown@kpmg.ca
• For inquiries regarding Applied R&D at Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, please contact: John Goerzen, Industry Liaison Officer, Business Development, Applied Research and External Relations, 519-748-5220 ext. 2362, JGoerzen@conestogac.on.ca
• For inquiries regarding the Wind Energy Sector and Market opportunities, please contact: Helge Wittholz, 905-876-2245, hwittholz@sympatico.ca
• For inquiries regarding CanWEA (Canadian Wind Energy Association), please contact: Justin Rangooni, Ontario Policy Manager, 613-234-8716 ext. 235, justinrangooni@canwea.ca