Wind-Power Group Urges Small Project Subsidies
If we are going to realize the dream of main stream society using alternate energy resources, we have to make adjustments in attitude in small steps and continually. If our governments do not assist the will of the people, we will never get the ball rolling and the momentum building. Have a read on the following situation in Canada and the Candian Federal and Provincial Governments lack of action on encouraging alternate solutions in comparison to the U.S. and Europe. Escpecially as they pertain to non-big business. What about the individuals who can collectively make a major impact? Or, are the policies in place becuase the big business wants it just the way it is? What do you think?
——————————————————–
Speakers at the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s national conference have called on the federal and provincial governments to provide greater financial incentives to subsidize small scale wind energy production.
Association policy adviser, Sean Whitaker said a rebate program would encourage farmers, small businesses and communities to set up small wind turbines by offsetting the high capital costs.
“If you look at the United States and certain jurisdictions in Europe and the incentives that exist for small wind, there’s a number of rebates, buy-downs, production expenses, tax breaks and here in Canada. We really have none,” Whitaker said.
“In order to really put in place a really solid small wind market, those incentives have to be there.”
Small wind turbines produce under 300 kW of power. Between 600 to 800 such turbines are sold annually in Canada, far behind the 13,400 sold in the U.S.
Financial incentives are only available in Canada for generating projects that are connected to the power grid and that produce more than 500 kW.
Federal officials say focusing on larger commercial projects will lead to cheaper and more efficient technology for small wind turbines.
Ottowa’s Wind Power Production Incentive program has funded the construction of 13 wind farms across the country, and will invest at least $920 million in promoting wind power over the next 15 years.
Wind energy comprises. .3% of the country’s total energy consumption, with 590 MW of wind capacity installed in Canada.
That total is projected to rise to 7,000 MW.
Article published in the Business Edge, October 27, 2005, taken from The Canadian Press