CanWEA recently held its two-day Spring Forum at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta. Over 170 professionals from the wind energy industry were on hand to discuss the state of the industry, Alberta election results, new technology, and much more.
“The four key attributes of wind energy, low price, emission-free, reliable and flexible, underpin my optimism that wind energy can compete with, and win against, every other large-scale electricity option to meet Canada’s future needs,” said Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association. “We are the lowest-cost provider; we generate emission-free power; our product is increasingly contributing to the reliability of the grid; and we offer a flexible and scalable solution to system operators as well as decentralized grids.”
The Keynote speaker, Peter Tertzakian, Executive Director, ARC Energy Research Institute, spoke about the new energy revolution driven by competition, innovation, supply additions and lower prices.
“Prices for wind, solar, energy storage, and fossil fuel extraction have come down rapidly,” said Tertzakian. “Alberta, with an abundance of energy sources, both renewable and non-renewable, is well-positioned to lead as an energy powerhouse in Canada.”
Chris Turner, author and journalist, provided insights on challenges the wind energy industry must address to capitalize on potential clean energy development opportunities offered by the Alberta electricity system.
“There is a global energy transition underway, and Canada has a huge opportunity to join the front ranks of this vital project,” said Turner. “We have extraordinary renewable energy resources, conventional energy resources, and a really strong tech sector, all the tools we need to become global leaders.”
Speakers at the forum spoke about how the wind energy industry must work closely with the new United Conservative Party (which was elected just before the forum started).
“Alberta is a proud leader in all forms of energy, with some of the best wind resources found in Canada, a skilled workforce, excellent training capacities, and a desire to diversify the economy and add jobs,” said Evan Wilson, Regional Director – Prairies, Canadian Wind Energy Association. “More wind energy will not only keep electricity affordable, but will result in increased revenues for local municipalities, supplemental income for landowners and increased spending in host communities.”
