Top Ten Wind Energy Producing Provinces in Canada

B.C. is in fourth place in terms of wind energy produced, despite the province having one of the best wind resources in the world. — Photo courtesy Canadian Wind Energy Association

According to the Canadian Wind Energy Association, Canada's current wind farm capacity is 10,204 megawatts. However, it seems that fourth place British Columbia is lagging behind in capturing the potential of wind energy.

Ian Baillie, regional director of the Canadian Wind Energy Association calls B.C. "a classic underachiever" despite the province having one of the best wind resources in the world. He recently told Business in Vancouver (BIV), "You can't build a wind farm without having a power purchase agreement. There's only one buyer...and that's BC Hydro."

"No one's going to build a wind project without a power call (from BC Hydro)," he stated.

However, a spokesperson for BC Hydro said the company is receptive to wind energy...but it needs to be cost-effective. They said, "When previous clean-power calls were announced, run-of-river was more cost-effective than wind."

It has been suggested that there is some $10 billion worth of wind energy projects awaiting development in British Columbia, with most pending a purchase call from BC Hydro. Ontario leads the way in Canada's wind energy production with 38%, with Quebec close behind at 28%, then it's Alberta which is number three on the list with 14% and British Columbia comes in at just 5%.

Here is a top ten list of leading wind energy producing provinces in Canada (in annual megawatts produced):

1. Ontario -- 3,927 MW
2. Quebec -- 2,883 MW
3. Alberta -- 1,471 MW
4. British Columbia -- 489 MW
5. Nova Scotia -- 392 MW
6. New Brunswick -- 294 MW
7. Manitoba -- 258 MW
8. Saskatchewan -- 221 MW
9. Prince Edward Island -- 204 MW
10. Newfoundland and Labrador -- 55 MW

The Northwest Territories produce 9.2 MW and the Yukon 0.9 MW of wind energy a year.

Source: BIV Green Space/Canadian Wind Energy Association