Wind Power Generation in Ontario

Ontario is at the forefront of wind energy in Canada, with more than 1,500 MW of wind generation capacity operating in the province.

As system operator, the IESO plays a fundamental role in helping bring wind projects into service and ensuring that Ontario's power system can effectively support increased levels of wind generation.

As system operator, the IESO is working to ensure that Ontario’s power system can effectively support increased levels of wind generation.

Wind energy is generated by wind turbines in large wind farms connected to the transmission grid or as smaller installations within a distribution service area. This form of generation creates zero emissions and has very little environmental impact, and as a result, is one of the greenest forms of energy available.

Large-scale wind farms in operation in Ontario include:

Amaranth (I and II) Wind Farm (200 MW)	Prince Wind Projects (I and II) (189 MW)
Kingsbridge Wind Power (40 MW)	Ripley Wind Power Project (76 MW)
Kruger Energy Port Alma (T1) (101 MW)	Underwood Wind Farm (182 MW)
Port Burwell Wind Farm (99 MW)	Wolfe Island Wind Power Project (198 MW)
Kruger Energy Chatham Port Alma (T3)* (101 MW)	Gosfield Wind Project (50 MW)
Spence Wind Farm (Talbot) (98.9 MW)	Dillon Wind Centre (Raleigh) (78 MW)
Greenwich Wind Farm (99 MW)

* Formerly known as the Kruger Energy Chatham Wind Project

The following wind projects are currently under development:

Expected date of commercial operation

Conestogo Wind Energy Centre 1 (69 MW)	2011-Q4
Summerhaven Wind Energy Centre (125 MW)	2012-Q1
Comber Wind Limited Partnership (166 MW)	2012-Q2
Pointe Aux Roche Wind (49 MW)	2012-Q3
McLean's Mountain Wind Farm (60 MW)	2013-Q1
Port Dover and Nanticoke Wind Project (105 MW)	2013-Q1
Farm Owned Power (Melancthon) Ltd (100 MW)	2013-Q1
Goulais Wind Farm (25 MW)	2013-Q1
Bow Lake (20 MW)	2014-Q2

Ontario is well-positioned for considerable growth in wind generation with a good selection of sites across the province. The implementation of the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 is expected to accelerate the expansion of wind generation even further. Ontario's Feed-In Tariff program will add thousands of megawatts of additional renewable supply.

Unlike some other generation resources, wind farms cannot be called upon to generate specific amounts of megawatts on demand. Wind power generation is dependent on weather conditions, temperature and even the season.

From month to month, wind output (the amount of energy actually produced compared to the amount the turbines are capable of producing given perfect conditions) can vary. In April 2009, the average wind output was 41 per cent of capacity, while in June it was 14 per cent, reflecting the fact that the summer months aren’t as windy.

Once in place, IESO centralized wind forecasting will help address the variable nature of this energy supply, as it will allow the IESO to understand the periods of time in which they can expect greater levels of wind generation. Equipped with this knowledge, the IESO will be better able to manage all the province’s electricity resources used to meet Ontario’s needs.

IESO WIND TRACKER

See how wind power is helping to meet Ontario's electricity needs. This information does not include wind generation capacity located outside the transmission grid.

To embed the IESO Wind Tracker on your web page or blog post, click here for more information.

Note: This data is updated every hour, however, there is a one hour time delay in publishing the results.

WIND FARMS IN ONTARIO

Ontario’s wind farms are located across the province – ensuring a diversity of wind energy supply. This map shows large scale wind generation facilities directly connected to the grid. Click to download a map of the entire province.