Alberta-based companies developed 32% of Canada’s wind capacity
The Alberta Government’s plan to add 5,000 MW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030 will deliver economic opportunities, in addition to environmental benefits, according to a new report by The Delphi Group for the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). The report was funded by the Alberta government.
As the most cost-competitive source of renewable energy in Alberta today, wind energy is well positioned to deliver the renewable energy required to meet the Alberta government’s commitment, says the study.
The report finds that if wind energy were to meet 90 per cent of the government’s commitment, it would result in an estimated $8.3 billion of investment in new wind energy projects in the province.
“The report findings highlight that wind energy plays to Alberta’s strengths, and that the province’s highly skilled workforce is a tremendous foundation for growth in the sector. A clear, long-term procurement policy will ensure that Alberta can maximize the economic and environmental benefits associated with wind energy,” said Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).
According to the study, these projects are expected to result in $3.7 billion in spending in Alberta and almost 15,000 job years of employment by 2030, provided that the province creates the right enabling conditions to build on its existing strengths.
Alberta-based companies have developed approximately 32 per cent of Canada’s total installed wind capacity of 11,205 MW as of 2016
The report also estimates that the wind industry will contribute $25.5 million in municipal property taxes and $13.5 million in land lease payments to Alberta land owners over the same period.
Alberta is already home to a highly skilled workforce that could support the growth of the wind energy sector.
Many of the skills and occupations required to develop wind projects – such as engineering, construction, operations and maintenance – are transferable from the oil and gas sector.
A long-term renewable energy procurement policy that sends clear signals to project developers and investors, will create the investment environment required to achieve these dramatic increases in local spending and job years.
Expanding on Alberta’s existing climate policy goals to include greater electrification of the economy would spur even further industry growth.
“The wind energy sector provides enormous potential for employment growth in Alberta. We have a lot of great talent and a strong ecosystem in this province, we just need to help the province broaden our energy portfolio so that we remain competitive across all our sectors. The report provides direction on how best we can support and grow the next generation of jobs in this province,” said Mary Moran, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development.
Informed by extensive research and consultation undertaken through 20 interviews with industry leaders, the report provides three recommendations for how Alberta can build on its strengths and realize the opportunities associated with developing its wind-energy sector:
- Provide supportive policy and procurement conditions: A long-term renewable energy procurement roadmap through 2030 that aligns with the province’s renewable energy target would increase the benefits of industry development. For example, announcing a series of large procurement plans (e.g., 1,500 MW every three years) that are rolled out in smaller, manageable phases will provide the investment certainty that increases the potential positive economic impacts.
- Support workforce development and training: Developing specialized training related to wind energy manufacturing and operations and maintenance can help Alberta maximize employment potential in the growing sector. Government can play a key role in facilitating knowledge exchange and relationships between wind energy project developers and post-secondary education and training institutions. Options include convening meetings of industry stakeholders and training institutions and providing opportunities for two-way communication, and investing in initiatives that allow industry and academia to work closely together to identify relevant and timely training opportunities.
- Promote the research and innovation agenda: Investments in innovation and research and development – particularly in the areas of transportation and logistics, wind farm construction and turbine erection, smart grid and system integration, and additive manufacturing/3D printing – will help Alberta build its knowledge-based workforce and export potential related to wind energy.