Onshore wind energy

Onshore wind is a mature, low-cost technology central to Canada's energy transition, though its rapid expansion is hindered by slow regulatory approvals and local resistance.

• Onshore wind is a mature technology that has seen significant cost reductions, with prices dropping by more than 60 per cent between 2009 and 2023, making it the cheapest source of new electricity in many jurisdictions.
• Canada possesses the eighth-largest total installed wind capacity globally, exceeding 18 gigawatts. In 2023, the national capacity grew by 11 per cent, adding 1.7 gigawatts, with over 90 per cent of that growth occurring in Alberta.
• Onshore wind provides economic benefits for rural areas and Indigenous communities. For instance, the 300-megawatt Henvey Inlet Wind project generates $10 million in annual revenue for the Henvey Inlet First Nation and created $25 million in direct economic activity for local First Nation businesses during construction.
• Despite the lack of technological barriers, deployment is slowed by cumbersome and slow project siting and approval processes, as well as local resistance due to the size and prominence of turbines.
• To accelerate growth, the document argues that provincial governments must streamline regulatory processes, develop clear energy roadmaps, and provide long-term regulatory certainty, such as industrial carbon pricing, to de-risk investments.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2024). Onshore wind energy. https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/onshore-wind-energy/

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. Onshore wind energy. 2024. https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/onshore-wind-energy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=Onshore wind energy |date=3 December 2024 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/onshore-wind-energy/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianclimateinstitute2024onshore, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{Onshore wind energy}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/onshore-wind-energy/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }