Environment Minister Terry Lake today toured the construction site of the 99-megawatt Cape Scott Wind Farm project located 40 kilometres west of Port Hardy.

When operational late this year, the project will power the annual needs of approximately 26,000 homes with clean energy.

"This project is a good news story for northern Vancouver Island," said Lake. "Our government recognizes the potential of wind to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wind is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies in the world and B.C. has abundant, untapped, wind power potential."

The Cape Scott Wind Farm project received an electricity purchase agreement from BC Hydro's Clean Power Call. Site developer and operator GDF SUEZ Energy North America estimates the $300 million project will create 200 construction jobs during the peak construction period and have a $25 million economic impact on the area. In addition, 12 permanent operations and maintenance positions are expected to be created at the wind farm.

The project will be powered by 55 1.8-megawatt turbines and occupy a total footprint of 350 hectares. The proponent has an impact benefit agreement with the Quatsino First Nation, Tlatlasikwala First Nation and Kwakiutl Indian Band.

B.C. currently has three operating wind farms - the 144-megawatt Dokie Wind project near Chetwynd, the 102-megawatt Bear Mountain Wind Park project near Dawson Creek and the 142-megawatt Quality Wind project near Tumbler Ridge.

Another five wind power projects received electricity purchase agreements through the BC Hydro Clean Power Call, which represent 46 per cent of the contracted energy that was selected. These projects are in various stages of environmental assessment and project design.

Quick Facts:

• According to industry, clean, renewable energy companies already have invested more than $4.5 billion in B.C.

• According to industry, clean energy projects have created, generated and supported over 1,800 direct jobs annually - over and above construction jobs - in cities, small towns and rural areas throughout B.C.

• According to industry (Globe 2012), in 2011, the Clean Energy Supply and Storage, Clean Transportation, and Green Building and Energy Efficiency sectors in B.C. generated 25,100 full-time equivalent jobs (13,000 direct and 12,100 indirect).

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834