Photos: Pennecon Limited.
Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador will soon be able to breathe a little easier thanks to the province’s first commercial wind farm. Due to an investment of $8.3 million by the Federal Government, the official opening of the St. Lawrence Wind Power Project took place this week.
“Our partnership in this project is helping to generate new economic activity and creating jobs for this community…This investment in St. Lawrence is another step toward a cleaner and sustainable energy future for Newfoundland and Labrador and for all of Canada. – Senator Manning
Located just outside the city of St. Lawrence, nine wind turbines have been erected with a total capacity of 27 megawatts, enough power to meet the electrical needs of about 7,000 homes. The project is owned by the Enel Atlantic Canada Limited Partnership and the electricity generated by the wind farm will be purchased by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
This wind farm is one of two commercial projects for the island of Newfoundland. The wind farm in Fermeuse, located on the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula, began generating electricity in June 2009. Combined, the two projects have the potential to supply energy to about 14,000 homes, displace over 300,000 barrels of oil annually and reduce sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions by around 14 per cent.
The Canadian Government’s commitment to projects like these through its ecoEnergy program mark some of its first steps in creating a green economy that protects the environment and guarantees clean, sustainable energy. Similar projects will be needed in the future if we want to end our dependence on dirty coal-powered electricity.
