EDF Energies Nouvelles commissions the most powerful wind farm in Western Canada, 300 MW

Continuing its development in Canada, EDF Energies Nouvelles announces the commissioning of the Blackspring Ridge wind farm by its local subsidiary, EDF EN Canada. With an installed capacity of 300 MW, this park becomes the most powerful in western Canada.

Located in the province of Alberta near Lethbridge, the Blackspring Ridge wind farm, co-owned at 50% by EDF EN Canada and the Enbridge group, is made up of 166 turbines supplied by the manufacturer Vestas.

The electricity produced is sold on the open electricity market in the province of Alberta, and provides the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of approximately 140,000 homes. Pacific Gas and Electric purchases the renewable energy credits (RECs) under a 20-year contract.

This park generated 350 jobs during the construction phase. To ensure its operation and maintenance, 20 long-term jobs will be created.

EDF Energies Nouvelles is continuing the development in Canada of a portfolio of wind and solar projects with a total of 1,374 MW of capacity to be installed by 2015. Blackspring Ridge is the 4^th wind farm commissioned by its local subsidiary and co-owned by Enbridge. The other projects are part of the 1 Gigawatt program won as part of Hydro-Quebec Distribution's calls for tenders. Since 2012, half of this program has been carried out in Quebec, with a first wind farm in Saint-Robert-Bellarmin (80 MW), followed by the Massif du Sud (150 MW) and Lac-Alfred (300 MW) .