Deregulation: Friend or Foe of Green Energy in Alberta? (Part 2 Q&A)

Alberta has become Canada''s wind energy leader, in great part due to electricity deregulation. More than half of Canada¹s total wind generation capacity, about 110 megawatts, is situated in southern Alberta, where there are currently twelve wind projects producing EcoLogo certified Green Energy® Electricity, Green Energy® Tags and Verified Emissions Reductions (CO2 offsets). Growth of wind, however, has been impeded by lack of transmission line investments, the threat of new and challenging market rules and discussions of limits to the amount of wind allowed on the grid. This presentation will review the history of wind energy in Alberta and the challenges facing both the industry and the electric system as a whole. Possible solutions and the future of wind energy in the province will be discussed. Speaker: Jason Edworthy, Managing Director ­ Market Development TransAlta Wind, a Division of TransAlta Energy Corporation Jason Edworthy is responsible for government relations, marketing and public relations activities as well as communications and contract development within TransAlta Wind (formerly Vision Quest Windelectric). He has been involved in the wind energy industry since the late 1970¹s, is a charter member and past president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA),a former director of the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA) in Alberta and a member of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO), serving on the Subcommittee on Environment and Green Power. Moderator: Louella Cronkhite Location: Sven Ericksen¹s Family Restaurant (lower level) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Cost: $8.00 includes lunch