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Enbridge, RES Canada to Develop 99 MW Ontario Wind Farm

Enbridge Inc. and Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc., an affiliate of RES Americas, recently announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop a 99 MW wind energy project near Chatham, Ontario in which Enbridge will have a majority interest. The total investment in the project by both parties is approximately $285 million. The Project will be structured as a limited partnership owned by Enbridge and RES Canada, with construction being undertaken by RES Canada.

The Talbot Wind Energy Project is expected to be completed in December 2010 and will utilize 43 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines to produce enough clean wind energy to power 33,000 average Canadian homes. Siemens will provide operations and maintenance services for the wind turbines under a five year, fixed price agreement. The Talbot Wind Energy Project will deliver energy to the Ontario Power Authority under a Renewable Energy Supply (RES) III 20-year power purchase agreement.

The Talbot Wind Energy project will complement Enbridge's portfolio of green energy assets including four existing wind power projects and one solar project, bringing Enbridge's combined capacity to 380 megawatts. Enbridge says its share of the power generated by its wind facilities in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan provides enough green energy to meet the equivalent of 35 per cent of the power requirements of the Company's Canadian crude oil mainline. Enbridge also has interests in emissions-free hybrid fuel cell technology and waste heat recovery facilities.

RES Americas is a vertically integrated wind energy player in development, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), and operating services. The company reportedly has over 4,000 MW in construction projects.

The partners expect the project will create an estimated 300 construction jobs and eight direct operation jobs. The Talbot Wind Energy Project is expected to generate revenue for businesses in the region, spending up to $50 million in capital expenditure and more than $7 million a year in operating expenditures. The Municipality will also benefit, receiving approximately $280,000 in tax payments each year.