Ontario Government Supports Wind Turbine Manufacturing Jobs in Windsor

WindTronics plans to assemble residential and small commercial wind turbines and conduct research and development in Windsor. The province is providing $2.7 million to help the company establish its Ontario operations, while the company is investing an additional $2.7 million. The investment will create 174 new jobs by 2012 and brings new capabilities to the province's manufacturing and alternative energy sectors.

The WT6000 Honeywell Wind Turbine, the first model to be manufactured in Windsor, can generate more than 2000 kW per year - up to 18 per cent of the electricity used by the average home. The turbine's innovative design reduces friction and allows electricity to be produced in slower wind speeds.

The province's Green Energy Act sets out to ensure Ontario's place as North America's renewable energy leader, and more than 50,000 jobs are expected in the next three years as projects get underway.

"This is a strategic investment that creates green economy jobs and brings new capabilities to our manufacturing sector. We are proud to support WindTronics' investment in Ontario. As a government we are committed to continuing our tradition of manufacturing excellence," said Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

"The support from the Government of Ontario allows us to hit the ground running and quickly start production. Ontario has demonstrated its commitment to the green economy and the commercialization of new technologies. The province also offers business advantages that other jurisdictions simply cannot match," said Reg Adams, President of WindTronics.

QUICK FACTS

• The WT6000 begins generating power at 3 kph wind speeds, whereas large wind turbines typically require 13 kph wind speeds.
• Ontario is the leading wind capacity jurisdiction in Canada, with more than 1,100 megawatts of wind capacity, enough to power about 300,000 average Ontario households.

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Rebecca Neufeld, 718-725-7357
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or
Ray Lancashire, 416-326-1608
Media Relations, Invest Ontario
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
ray.lancashire@ontario.ca