Offshore wind creates jobs.
Along with environmental benefits, the creation of an abundance of lasting, full time employment (FTE) is among renewable energy's greatest advantages and contributions to societal well-being.
Germany's renewable energy sector, for example, currently employs 256,000 people, with over over 90,000 people working in the wind sector alone. This is remarkable for a young industry and demonstrates the potential for renewable energy to create jobs and sustained economic growth in Ontario and The Great Lakes region.
Germany is not alone. The Spanish wind industry has created over 60,000 jobs in just 10 years. In the UK, The Carbon Trust estimates that developing 29 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind would increase the current number of people already employed in the industry from 40,000 to between 80,000 and 100,000. Furthermore, a recent analysis by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) estimates that that the achievement of 66 GW of offshore wind capacity worldwide by 2020 would create between 150,000 and 200,000 jobs
Trillium Power has calculated the job potential arising from the deployment of both Trillium Power Wind 1 and Ontario's Reserved Potential. The 'Low Estimates' represent an average of more conservative assessments by BCG, the German Wind Association (GWEA) and the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP). The 'High Estimates' are based on a recent assessment by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The breakdown of jobs per factor is based on The Carbon Trust's estimates.
Manufacturing: surpassing the Auto Pact
A vibrant manufacturing sector is critical to the health of any economy, including Ontario's and those of other jurisdictions in The Great Lakes region. Currently, manufacturing accounts for 20% of Ontario's GDP and employs over 860,000 people. It is also the largest economic multiplier of any sector in the provincial economy; every $1 of manufacturing output generates $3.05 in total economic activity.
Unfortunately, Ontario's manufacturing sector was hard-hit by the global recession and higher Canadian dollar, shedding tens of thousands of jobs over the past few years, especially in the automotive industry. As a consequence, unemployment rates have soared in manufacturing-intensive jurisdictions like the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Niagara-Hamilton, Windsor, Oshawa-Kingston and Kitchener-Waterloo regions.
A report by Helimax Energy Inc. to the Ontario Energy Board indicates that the Ontario side of The Great Lakes alone could reasonably generate 34,500 MW of power. If 100 5-MW turbines are installed each year, it will take 69 years to tap this potential – 29 years longer than the North American Auto Pact has already been in force. Given present concerns for jobs in the automotive industry, the prospects for job creation in the offshore wind power sector in Ontario and The Great Lakes region is strongly encouraging.
Trillium Power Wind Corporation will privately invest approximately C$1.6 billion into the TPW1 project and help generate many economic opportunities. According to a recent Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) report on the Employment and Economic Impacts of Ontario's Future Offshore Wind Power Industry, just 2,000 MW of Offshore Wind development in Ontario over a 15 year period would generate approximately 6,500 new jobs in manufacturing, services, O&M and RDD&D; Between 55,000 and 62,000 new person-years of employment in construction; $10.44 Billion in real capital investment and operations spending; an increase in Ontario's gross domestic product of $5.5 Billion; generate taxes for the Ontario and Canadian governments of between $1.03 and $1.13 Billion (not including corporate taxes); a strong new era of green-collar manufacturing in Ontario; substantial new demand for local products and services; and, contribute to the municipal tax base and infrastructure.
Research and training.
In addition to new manufacturing jobs, the wind power sector will require new research and training programs be established at post-secondary institutions. Trillium Power Wind Corporation has partnered with the First Nations Technical Institute, St. Lawrence College and other institutions to develop such programs and position Ontario and The Great Lakes region as a sector leader in North America. Trillium Power continues to actively work on developing innovative solutions to enhance regional education and training in renewable energy.
Trillium Power is committed to sustainable prosperity.