Thursday, August 16, 2012

FW: Made-in-Ontario Clean Wind Power Creating Jobs

 

 

From: Ontario News [mailto:newsroom@ontario.ca]
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2012 10:50 AM
To: mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com
Subject: Made-in-Ontario Clean Wind Power Creating Jobs

 

Made-in-Ontario Clean Wind Power Creating Jobs

August 16, 2012

Clean Energy Industry Supporting Supply Chain Across Ontario

Ontario's clean energy economy is bringing more renewable energy online while creating good jobs for families across the province.

Components for two renewable energy projects, the Erieau Wind and East Lake St. Clair wind farms, are being made at Thurston Machine in Port Colborne. In addition to specializing in mining, locomotive, and steel equipment, the nearly 100-year-old company is now also supplying Ontario's clean energy industry.

Expected to be online by mid-2013, the Erieau Wind and East Lake St. Clair wind projects will each produce 99 megawatts of clean, renewable energy, enough electricity to power over 27,000 homes or a city the size of Newmarket.  Each of these projects will also create about 150 construction jobs in Chatham-Kent.   

Building a clean energy system and a culture of conservation is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create and support jobs for Ontario families while ensuring we have the electricity we need to power our homes, schools, hospitals and the economy.

QUOTES

"These projects are great examples of how Ontario's clean energy industry is strengthening our economy and creating jobs across the province. As the industry grows and increases the supply of clean, renewable energy, Ontario moves closer to eliminating coal-fired electricity generation, ensuring cleaner air and a healthier environment."

 – Chris Bentley
Minister of Energy

"International Power is proud to be part of the Erieau Wind and East Lake St. Clair Wind projects. Both of these projects will not only capitalize on the vast wind resources in Chatham-Kent they will contribute to creating cleaner air and moving the province's clean energy mandate."

 – Michael Crawley
President and CEO, International Power

"Thurston Machine's strength has always been the flexibility of handling a diverse range of projects. Our plan to get involved in the renewable energy sector weighed heavily into our decision to move forward with our recently completed $11.5 million expansion which will ultimately create an additional 20 jobs."

 – Mark Yallin
Division Manager, Thurston Machine

QUICK FACTS

  • The Erieau Wind and East Lake St. Clair wind projects are also benefitting Ontario's steel industry as all the steel in the manufacturing of the foundations of both projects is being made in Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Established in 1915, Thurston Machine employs 80 skilled workers that provide machining, fabrication and assembly services.
  • In 2009 more than 80 per cent of Ontario's electricity generation came from emission-free sources like wind, solar, biogas and nuclear.
  • In 2003, Ontario had 19 dirty polluting-coal units and just 10 wind turbines; today, the province has over 1,000 new wind turbines and by 2014 all coal units will be closed.

CONTACTS

  • For media inquiries only call:
    Jennifer Kett, Minister’s Office
    416-327-6747
    jennifer.kett@ontario.ca
  • For media inquiries only call:
    Kirby Dier, Communications Branch
    416-326-4542
    kirby.dier@ontario.ca
  • For public inquiries call:
    1-888-668-4636
    TTY: 1-800-239-4224




Ministry of Energy
ontario.ca/energy

 

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