A tour of the northern coast of Lake Superior by Canada's expert wind
energy specialists and private industry officials has left the communities
hopeful that wind turbines will be situated in their region.
"I think it is fair to say that the tour was very successful," Bob
Hancherow, community development manager of the Superior North Community
Futures Development Corp. for Terrace Bay and area says.
"We had interest in all the communities we stopped in and made
presentations and certainly the general consensus is that we carry on."
The support not only came from the northern communities, but from the
government and private businesses and partnerships.
Hancherow's next move is to establish some test sites throughout the
region. Historical data and current information from airports around the
area willbe indicators of where the wind generators may be situated for
maximum efficiency.
"There is going to be some detective work. We will do some of this
ourselves and we will be looking at hiring out to consultants."
Hancherow says he hopes to have some test turbines erected by the fall.
However, a 12-month target is more realistic, he says.
Since Sudbury's interest also lies in developing wind energy, Hancherow
wants to create a joint venture in Northern Ontario.
Referring to the "Ten by Ten" project put forth by The Canadian Wind Energy
Association, Hancherow adds one of their goals is to provide Canada with
10,000 megawatts of wind power by the year 2010.
If the North were to seize the opportunity and take advantage of building a
wind energy industry, "we would need 2,400 engineers in this field to have
that kind of a goal (realized)."
This initiative could have widespread economic benefits for the North, he says.
Universities in southern Ontario are looking at adding wind engineering to
their curriculum. Northern universities could also capitalize on the
future market by introducing such degrees.