$800 million

Sector: Energy

Location: St. Joseph, Manitoba

Key Players: BowArk Energy (developer)

Owner: City of Hamilton

Financing: Private – Manitoba Hydro had a deal to buy wind generated power as part of a proposed 25-year agreement with Babcock & Brown’s North American Energy Group, but it seems Babcock & Brown is struggling and has sold the project to an American investment firm.

Status: The exact schedule will depend upon the availability of materials and equipment for the wind turbines and related transmission facilities. The project is also subject to regulatory approvals and execution of a power purchase agreement with construction expected to start in 2009 and power deliveries starting as early as 2011.

Project Details: The St. Joseph proposal was the best received in response to a request for proposals in 2007—Manitoba Hydro received over 84 proposals throughout the tender process. This 300 MW wind farm, the largest in Canada, brings the province one step closer to achieving its goal of developing 1,000 MW of wind power. Unfortunately, the project is behind schedule. For it to qualify for the federal subsidies needed to make the project viable, turbines must be operational by March 2011.