Canada's wind industry aims high

TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada’s wind energy sector has the lofty goal of supplying 20 percent of the country’s electricity by 2025, but that target is out of reach without better financial and policy support, say industry executives.

There is more than mounting concern for the environment at stake, say wind companies attending the Canadian Wind Energy Association conference in Toronto this week.

Canada must bolster its wind business now because the cost of power from aging coal- and natural gas-fired generators is likely to climb with a move to carbon taxes, while the economic of wind energy are seen improving.

Moreover, Canada can capitalize on a rich geographical resource. A coastline that stretches more than 240,000 km (150,000 miles) and expansive stretches of open prairie land are ideal locations for wind generators.

Reuters