GE Technology to Help Move the Province Closer to Its Aggressive Cleaner Energy Goals
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA---October 4, 2011---GE's (NYSE: GE) advanced 2.5-100 wind turbine technology is now powering Suncor Energy's Kent Breeze Wind Project, a 20-megawatt wind farm located west of Thamesville, Ontario. The project is the first wind power facility to receive a Renewable Energy Approval (REA) under the province's Green Energy Act.
The Kent Breeze project marks Suncor's first use of GE's 2.5-100 wind turbines. The 2.5-100 is designed to maximize the energy yield per machine. Proven in applications in Europe and Asia, GE's multi-megawatt turbine was introduced for the North American market last year. The Kent Breeze project also is under a two-year operations and maintenance contract with GE.
Kent Breeze precedes Suncor's Wintering Hills project in Alberta, Canada, which also will use GE wind turbine technology. Suncor is part owner of two other projects in Alberta that feature GE equipment, ChinChute and Magrath. Beyond the wind business, GE has partnered with Suncor on multiple power generation and water equipment for projects in western Canada's oil sands.
"We have worked closely with Suncor to meet all of the requirements for the Kent Breeze project," said Simon Olivier, general manager of sales for GE's renewable energy business in Canada. "Kent Breeze provided an opportunity for us to install our first 2.5 machines in Canada and apply our technology and experience to help developers like Suncor harness Canada's great wind potential and move the country closer to its cleaner energy goals."
GE's wind turbines are part of ecomagination, the company's commitment to imagine and build innovative solutions to today's environmental challenges while driving economic growth.
Ontario's commitment to a greener energy supply has motivated the province to aggressively add new sources of renewable energy. Since 2003, Ontario has increased its online wind capacity from 15 megawatts to more than 1,200 megawatts and now ranks as Canada's top province in wind power. With this increased use of renewable energy, Ontario has set a goal to phase out all of its coal-fired power generation by 2014.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com. GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy---GE Power & Water, GE Energy Management and GE Oil & Gas---work together with more than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.
For more information, contact:
Suzanne Cleary
GE Power & Water
+1 518 385 3060
[email protected]
Ken Darling or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
[email protected]
[email protected]
Kim Warburton
GE Global Growth Organization
[email protected]
+1 905 8585678
+ 1416 5618316