GE inks deal to supply turbines to wind developer giant

NextEra Energy Canada, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, the largest generator of wind and solar power in North America, has selected GE advanced wind turbine technology for six new wind farms in Ontario. Using GE’s new 1.6-100 wind turbine, the new wind farms will produce more than 460 megawatts of clean power, which is enough energy for nearly 120,000 homes in Ontario.

GE will supply 288 of its 1.6-100 wind turbines for the NextEra Energy Canada projects, marking one of the first installations of this technology in Canada. Featuring a rotor diameter of 100 metres, the 1.6-100 captures additional energy in low-wind environments.

Part of an investment of more than $1 billion by NextEra Energy Canada, the projects support Ontario’s Green Energy Act.

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with GE as we continue our efforts to bring these important wind projects into service to increase Ontario’s supply of clean, wind-generated electricity,” said Armando Pimentel, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources. “These projects will benefit the environment, and they will help to create jobs and generate additional economic opportunities throughout the province of Ontario.”

Under the provisions of the Green Energy Act, 50 percent of all project goods and labour must come from Ontario at the time they reach commercial operation. This agreement will help NextEra Energy Canada meet its commitment to creating jobs and economic opportunities in Ontario.

Manufacturing facilities of GE and its suppliers in Port Colborne, Ottawa, Windsor and Stoney Creek will all contribute to fulfilling the agreement with NextEra Energy Canada in meeting its domestic content commitments.

“We developed our new 1.6-100 wind turbine specifically to meet the higher performance and efficiency challenges of today’s wind industry, in Canada and worldwide,” said Vic Abate, vice-president of renewable energy for GE. “After the strong global acceptance of this technology, we’re extremely pleased that our 1.6 wind turbines now will have a major presence in Canada.”

Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Canada were awarded 20-year power purchase agreements by the Ontario Power Authority to develop the projects, which will be located at six sites across Ontario and are expected to enter commercial operation in 2013 and 2014. Together, these six projects are expected to create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The Ontario Green Energy Act, passed by the Ontario legislature in May of 2009, is intended to expand renewable energy production, encourage energy conservation and create green jobs.