Northwestern wind energy initiative gains momentum

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.