New Poll Shows Strong Support for Wind Energy in Saskatchewan

Insightrix Research poll shows 84 per cent of residents support government policies that encourage the development of wind energy in Saskatchewan

Regina, Saskatchewan, November 29, 2018 – The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) released the results of polling conducted by Saskatoon-based Insightrix Research at an industry event held in Regina yesterday. The province-wide representative poll showed overwhelming support for the development of wind energy with 84 per cent of respondents supporting policies that encourage the development of wind energy in Saskatchewan and 78 per cent supporting the development of wind farms near their communities.

The polling follows recent announcements that the province will be adding two wind energy projects that together will add nearly 400 megawatts (MW) of wind energy capacity to its grid in the near-term. In September, the Ministry of Environment approved the 177 MW Blue Hill Wind Energy Project and in October, SaskPower announced that it had signed a power purchase agreement with Potentia Renewables for its 200 MW Golden South Wind Energy Facility. Both facilities are expected to be operational in 2021 and will more than double Saskatchewan’s installed wind energy capacity.

Read the SaskWatch Research report from Insightrix Research on Saskatchewan residents’ perceptions of wind energy.

Quotes

“We’re pleased to see the exceptional level of support for wind energy in Saskatchewan. The wind energy industry is continuously looking to improve and strengthen the ways it consults and engages with residents, local businesses, municipalities and Indigenous communities. Additionally, the province has put in place wind energy-specific and results-based standards to ensure developments are located and operated with low environmental impacts. This combination ensures the groundwork is in place for the best possible projects as the government moves forward with its ambitious plans for renewable power.”

– Robert Hornung, President, CanWEA

“As part of our Prairie Resilience Climate Change Strategy, our government has committed to reduce our emissions from electrical generation by 40 per cent by 2030. Increasing wind energy is an integral part of achieving this goal and I am pleased to see the public support for this commitment. We look forward to realizing the environmental and community benefits of increasing Saskatchewan’s wind energy as new projects come online.”

– The Honourable Dustin Duncan, Saskatchewan Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, and Minister Responsible for SaskPower

Background

• In September 2018, SaskPower announced that it had approved a 177 MW wind energy project for the province’s southwest. In addition to this project, SaskPower will need to add approximately 1,700 MW of new wind energy to its grid over the next 12 years to meet its ambitious targets.
• In October 2018, SaskPower announced the results of its first procurement competition related to its wind energy goals. The highly competitive process attracted widespread interest from the wind energy industry. The average price of all 29 bids was $37.50 per megawatt hour, with the winning bid coming in well below that.
• A 2016 technical study prepared by GE Energy Consulting with the input of SaskPower and other grid operators in Canada found Saskatchewan’s electricity system could handle twice as much wind energy as it is targeting without compromising grid reliability.
• For more about wind energy in Saskatchewan, visit the Saskatchewan Wind Market webpage or download a printer-friendly version of CanWEA’s Saskatchewan Wind Market Profile.

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About the Canadian Wind Energy Association

CanWEA is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy. 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. Join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more at canwea.ca.

For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact:

Ameera Shivji, Public Affairs Advisor, Prairies
Canadian Wind Energy Association
403-815-1407
ameerashivji@canwea.ca