The Government of Canada and Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. (Shelburne, Ontario) announced the official start of construction of the Melancthon Grey Wind Project in the townships of Melancthon and Amaranth near Shelburne in Southern Ontario. The $120 million dollar wind facility consists of 45 GE Energy wind turbines, each rated at 1.5 MW for a total capacity of 67.5 MW. The Government of Canada will provide approximately $19.5 million in funding over 10 years to the project through the Wind Power Production Initiative.
Canadian Hydro CEO John Keating stated, "Once completed in early 2006, the Melancthon Grey Wind Project will generate enough green power to supply more than 20,000 households each year. Construction has been going very well. If you drive along the highway near the wind plant, you will see a few turbines already standing. New wind turbine components such as blades, towers, and nacelles have been arriving throughout August. Workers are now focusing on completing the foundations, with each using about 455 m³ of concrete. Our goal is to have all 45 turbines standing by the end of this year, and be into commercial operations by early next year."
Over the next 15 years, the Government of Canada will invest at least $920 million in promoting wind power, increasing its production target to 4,000 MW by 2010, which is enough electricity for more than 250,000 Canadian homes.
