Project at a Glance
Location: 20 kilometers southwest of Taber, Alberta
Partners: Suncor Energy Products, Inc., Enbridge Inc.
Construction completed: November 2006
Wind power: 30 MW capacity, using 20 GE 1.5 MW wind turbine generators
Projected CO2 emissions avoided: Approximately 112,000 tons annually
Local tidbit: Taber was settled by homesteaders in the late 1890’s and was initially a coal-mining town.
The Chin Chute Wind Power Project produces enough electricity for approximately 11,000 homes. The electricity is sold to consumers through Alberta’s electricity grid.
Approximately 160 people were employed during the construction phase of the Chin Chute Wind Farm, and several permanent jobs were created to manage the project. The Chin Chute Wind Power Project provides increased revenues for Alberta through investments in local infrastructure, lease agreements with local landowners and property tax revenues from the project over its lifetime.
How this project is sustainable
Harnessing a plentiful domestic energy resource like wind to generate electricity provides North America with sustainable and clean-energy choices beyond conventional power plants, which are facing depleting resources, increased carbon emissions and price volatility.
“The opening of the Chin Chute Wind Power Project increases and consolidates ACCIONA’s presence in Canada, where we already have a wind farm in operation in Alberta. This is an excellent partnership, one in which we continue our efforts in new projects, all at different stages of development. We are honored to have the opportunity to expand zero-emission electricity generation through renewable energies and to cooperate with the authorities and businesses in expanding initiatives that address climate change.”
—Peter Duprey, CEO of ACCIONA Energy North America
“Canada’s wind-energy industry is quickly maturing but still has an opportunity to become robustly competitive with conventional energy options. Government support is critical to attracting investment required to develop renewable-energy options and build a self-sustaining industry in Canada.”
—Daniel E. Dubois, Vice-president of Development, ACCIONA Wind Energy Canada