How Wind Energy Benefits Ontarians

July 30, 2018

Ontario remains Canada’s leader in clean wind energy with 4,900 MW of installed capacity, supplying approximately 7.5% of the province’s electricity demand. In 2017, Ontario added four installations to the province’s current wind fleet — an additional 119 MW.

Ontario’s wind industry has created thousands of well paying, much-needed jobs in manufacturing, construction and local services. Across the province, wind energy projects are delivering new income to landowners, new property tax revenue to municipalities and new funding for community-based initiatives.

With 40% of Canada’s installed wind energy capacity, Ontario is at the heart of a growing wind turbine operations and maintenance business in Canada.

Between 2006 and 2030, Ontario’s past and planned investments in wind energy will

• create 73,000 direct and direct full-time equivalent (FTE) years of employment
• generate $5.1 billion in direct and indirect wages and benefits
• contribute $7 billion to the province’s GDP
• stimulate $14 billion in investment

Ontario’s investments have helped drive a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from its electricity sector since 2003, protecting the province from unpredictable carbon cost increases over the long-term, and ensuring consumers won’t be held hostage to volatile fossil fuel prices. It has built a clean, reliable, affordable and modern grid with the flexibility to respond to changing economic and environmental circumstances.