Wind Energy

Strong majority of quebecers in favour of increased wind energy development

Seventy-five per cent of Quebec residents would like to see the province continue developing wind power after the year 2015 according to a survey commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). Furthermore, Quebecers believe that wind turbines provides important economic benefits and they want Quebec to further develop its wind darm expertise.

The survey, conducted by the firm Léger marketing between the 12th and 14th of October, polled 1,000 Quebecers ages 18 and up. The survey indicates Quebecers’ attitude toward wind energy is increasingly improving.

Based on the survey, there has been a 23 per cent increase in people whose opinion of wind energy has improved compared to 2009. More importantly, 75 per cent of those polled said they would like to see Quebec continue developing wind energy, and 82 per cent of those polled believe that Quebec should develop an expertise in wind energy as it did with hydro-electricity.

This survey sends a clear message to political decision makers—Quebecers want Quebec to continue to develop wind energy after 2015 and to position itself as a global leader in this area as it has already done with hydroelectricity , stated Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. CanWEA remains committed to working productively with local communities and all stakeholders in exploring wind energy’s role as a contributor of both economic and environmental benefits to Quebec over the longer-term.

The survey also revealed that the majority of those polled consider wind farms to be an important source of economic benefits to the regions in which they are located.

The results of this survey are being made public as more than two thousand industry representatives take part in CanWEA’s 26th Annual Conference and Exhibition, the largest renewable energy event in the country which takes place in Montreal between the 1st and 3rd of November.

Poll results and details can be found at www.canwea.ca/windvision_quebec_e.php (in French only).

CanWEA is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its more than 400 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada’s leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits.

www.canwea.ca