EDF EN Canada and Enbridge start to operate 300 MW Alberta wind project

EDF EN Canada Inc., a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles, and Enbridge Inc. held a dedication ceremony on the 300 MW Blackspring Ridge wind project in Vulcan County, Alberta, Western Canada.

Construction of the 166 turbine project commenced in May 2013 and reached commercial operation twelve months later in May 2014. Mortenson Canada served as the construction contractor.

The project investment investment has been about CAD$600 million. It represent the largest investment in wind energy in Western Canada.

Chris Brown, President of Vestas’ Sales and Service Division, stated:

Blackspring Ridge is our largest Canadian effort to date. For wind projects to thrive in the competitive Alberta electricity market, they need to generate electricity at the lowest possible cost, and we are proud that EDF EN Canada and Enbridge selected our innovative V100-1.8MW Vestas turbines. This project is a testament to the tenacity and creativity among the team, and we have already built on our partnerships with EDF EN and Enbridge to pursue additional opportunities.

Since October 2012, EDF EN Canada and Enbridge have commissioned three jointly-owned wind projects in Quebec: Saint-Robert-Bellarmin (80 MW), Massif du Sud (150 MW), and Lac-Alfred (300 MW. By the end of 2015, EDF EN Canada will have placed into service 1,374 MW of wind and solar in Canada and created employment opportunities for over 1,000 people in the development and construction phase. Enbridge owns over 1,350 MW of net capacity in renewable and alternative energy and is a leader in this field as the largest solar energy generator and the second largest wind power generator in Canada.