With 534 MW capacity of wind energy added till now in this year, wind energy market in Canada has broken last year's record capacity of 240 MW.

Wind energy market in Canada added 534 MW (megawatts) of fresh production capacity this year, breaking the 240 MW record established last year, as per CanWEA (Canadian Wind Energy Association). It also warned the government that lack of new funds could delay development.

Wind energy market in Canada contributed $ 736 million to its GDP (Gross Domestic Product). As per estimates, around 1,200 FTE (Full-time Equivalent) Jobs were there in this section last year, a rise of 65 % from 2004.

So far, investments worth $ 1 billion have been made in wind energy in 2006. The total wind energy capacity is 1,218 MW that is enough to feed 370,000 homes in Canada.

Robert Hornung, association president, said that with several other wind farms lined up & expected to be commissioned by the end of 2006, wind energy market would achieve new heights in this year. Projects with 700 MW of wind energy are expected to be installed by the end of 2006, which will be double of Canada's total wind energy installed capacity in 2005.

Association has revealed that the installation of new wind energy capacity depends on funding from federal govt. & nothing has been received since April because of pending decisions of Ottawa regarding its support to development of wind energy. Many firms have signed contracts for building wind farms due to former govt.'s assurance of support by federal govt. These firms will face considerable economic losses in lack of funds.

"Wind energy market is growing at the fastest rate among the other renewable energies but still it is not self sufficient for future growth. It largely depends upon the government policies," as per the report "Global Wind Energy Market (2006)" published by RNCOS.

The present policy will also send negative vibes to potential investors & pose a threat to future of wind energy prospects in Canada. CanWEA represents over 250 firms involved in wind energy market in Canada including turbine & component makers, project developers and service & electric utilities providers.

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