A proposed joint venture between Vermont company Northern Power Systems and Suncor Energy Inc (through its subsidiary Sunoco Inc) aims to develop wind farms to supply power to remote communities in northern Canada. As part of the deal, Suncor will make an equity investment in Northern Power Systems.
The two companies see potential in designing wind-based systems to replace the traditional diesel generation used by many remote communities for power. Many parts of northern Canada are not connected to utility grids and must rely on island systems.
As well as developing projects for specific communities, the joint venture also hopes to actively develop wind farms itself. Suncor has committed itself to investing $100 million in alternative and renewable energy projects by 2005. Northern Power Systems, meanwhile, recently won a design award for its NorthWind 100 cold weather wind turbine.
