|
Ontario is at the forefront of wind energy in Canada, with more than 1,500 MW of wind generation capacity connected to the province's power grid.
As system operator, the IESO plays a fundamental role in helping bring wind projects into service and ensuring that Ontario's power system can effectively support increased levels of wind generation.
Wind energy is generated by wind turbines in large wind farms connected to the transmission grid or as smaller installations within a distribution service area.
Large-scale wind farms in operation in Ontario include:
Amaranth (I and II) Wind Farm (200 MW) |
Prince Wind Projects (I and II) (189 MW) |
Kingsbridge Wind Power (40 MW) |
Ripley Wind Power Project
(76 MW) |
Kruger Energy Port Alma (T1) (101 MW) |
Underwood Wind Farm (182 MW) |
Port Burwell Wind Farm (99 MW) |
Wolfe Island Wind Power Project (198 MW) |
Kruger Energy Chatham Port Alma (T3)* (101 MW) |
Gosfield Wind Project (50 MW) |
Spence Wind Farm (Talbot)
(98.9 MW) |
Dillon Wind Centre (Raleigh) (78 MW) |
Greenwich Wind Farm (99 MW) |
|
* Formerly known as the Kruger Energy Chatham Wind Project
The following wind projects are scheduled to come in service by Spring 2014:
Expected date of commercial operation
Comber Wind Limited Partnership (166 MW) |
|
Pointe Aux Roche Wind (49 MW) |
|
Conestogo Wind Energy Centre 1 (69 MW) |
2013-Q1 |
Summerhaven Wind Energy Centre (125 MW) |
2013-Q1 |
McLean's Mountain Wind Farm (60 MW) |
2013-Q2 |
Port Dover and Nanticoke Wind Project (105 MW) |
2014-Q1 |
Dufferin Wind Farm (100 MW) |
2014-Q1 |
Bow Lake Phase 1 (20 MW) |
2013-Q4 |
Nigig Power Corporation (300 MW) |
2014-Q1 |
Amherst Island (75 MW) |
2014-Q1 |
Niagara Region Wind Farm (230 MW) |
2014-Q1 |
Haldimand Wind Project (150 MW) |
2014-Q1 |
South Kent Wind Project (270 MW) |
2014-Q1 |
Goulais Wind Farm (25 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Bow Lake Phase 2 (40 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Adelaide Wind Power Project (40MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Bornish Wind Energy Centre (74 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Grand Bend Wind Farm (100 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Grand Valley Wind Farms (Phase 3) (40 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
East Lake St. Clair wind (99 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Erieau Wind (99MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm (25 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Cedar Point Wind Power Project Phase II (100 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Adelaide Wind Energy Centre (60 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Bluewater Wind Energy Centre (60 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Goshen Wind Energy Centre (102 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
Jericho Wind Energy Centre (150 MW) |
2014-Q2 |
White Pines Wind Farm (60 MW) |
2014-Q3 |
Unlike some other generation resources, wind farms cannot be called upon to generate specific amounts of megawatts on demand. Wind power generation is dependent on weather conditions, temperature and even the season.
From month to month, wind capacity (the amount of energy actually produced compared to the amount the turbines are capable of producing given perfect conditions) can vary. In April 2009, the average wind output was 41 per cent of capacity, while in June it was 14 per cent, reflecting the fact that the summer months aren’t as windy.
Once in place, IESO centralized wind forecasting will help address the variable nature of this energy supply, as it will allow the IESO to understand the periods of time in which they can expect greater levels of wind generation. Equipped with this knowledge, the IESO will be better able to manage all the province’s electricity resources used to meet Ontario’s needs.
|
