As another global record was set in 2007 with the installation of 20,000 MW of new, emission-free wind power, Canada's total installed capacity grew to 1,846 MW with the addition of 386 MW of new wind energy projects, its 2nd best year ever. Wind energy now produces enough electricity in Canada to meet the needs of 560,000 homes. The North American market experienced the strongest growth globally in 2007, with more than 5,200 MW of new wind energy capacity installed in the United States alone.

Canada currently ranks as the world's 11th largest nation in terms of installed wind energy capacity. With an anticipated minimum installation of another 800 MW in 2008, representing well over $1.5 billion in investment, Canada is poised to set a new record for annual installed wind energy capacity. These 2008 installations have already begun with the commissioning of Sky Generation's 10 MW Ravenswood project in January. This project is the first to be constructed under Ontario's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.

Provincial governments are currently seeking to put in place a minimum of 12,000 MW of installed wind energy capacity by 2016. This would meet 5% of Canada's total electricity demand in that year and result in more than 10,000 annual person years of employment by that date. While this represents rapid growth, countries like Denmark, Germany, Spain, Ireland and Portugal already receive between 5 and 20 percent of their electricity from wind energy and have more aggressive targets in place.

Wind energy produces no air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to its environmental benefits, wind energy delivers substantial economic benefits to rural communities through investment and job creation, lease income for landowners, and a new tax base for municipal governments.