RA 2018 Financial Statements

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

RA 2018 Financial Statements Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. is a leading Canadian independent renewable power producer. Active since 1990, the Corporation develops, acquires, owns and operates hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, solar farms and geothermal power facilities and carries out its operations in Canada, the United States, France, Chile and Iceland. The Corporation’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols INE, INE.PR.A and INE.PR.C and its convertible debentures are listed under the symbols INE.DB.A and INE.DB.B. Innergex’s mission is to increase its production of renewable energy by developing and operating high-quality facilities while respecting the environment and balancing the best interests of the host communities, its partners and its investors. 2018 in Figures 2 7 14 176 3,062 Innergex successfully Innergex's Innergex's gross completed seven Innergex added Innergex entered two 14 new revenues installed new countries, acquisitions, including its largest to operating increased by capacity grew by Iceland and Chile, date, the acquisition $176.4 million in 1,222 MW to through acquisitions facilities to its 2018 compared with of Alterra Power portfolio of assets 3,062 MW during the Corp. 2017 year Installed Capacity Gross1 Net2 Hydro 1,181 797 Wind 1,629 1,139 Solar 78 52 Geothermal 174 94 TOTAL 3,062 2,082 1. Gross installed capacity is the total capacity of all Operating Facilities of Innergex. 2. Net capacity is the proportional share of the total capacity attributable to Innergex based on its ownership interest in each facility. Facilities In operations In development Hydro 37 3 Wind 25 1 Solar 4 4 Geothermal 2 — TOTAL 68 8 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Year ended December 31 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except as noted and amounts per share) 2018 2017 2016 OPERATING RESULTS Restated 4 Production (MWh) 6,283,436 4,394,210 3,521,645 Revenues 576,616 400,263 292,785 Adjusted EBITDA1 385,081 298,728 215,983 Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 66.8% 74.6% 73.8% Innergex's share of Adjusted EBITDA of joint ventures and associates1 2 74,026 9,615 8,385 Adjusted EBITDA Proportionate1 459,107 308,343 224,368 Net Earnings 25,718 19,136 32,043 Adjusted Net Earnings1 26,956 15,662 29,076 Cash Flow From Operating Activities 209,391 192,451 76,753 Free Cash Flow1 3 105,125 87,207 75,702 Payout Ratio1 3 86% 82% 91% COMMON SHARES Dividends declared 90,215 71,621 68,524 Weighted Average Number of Common Shares (in 000s) 130,030 108,427 106,883 FINANCIAL POSITION Total Assets 6,481,284 4,190,456 3,604,204 Total Liabilities 5,521,723 3,737,194 3,118,972 Non-Controlling Interests 329,769 14,920 14,712 Equity Attributable to Owners 629,792 438,342 470,520 1. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Innergex's share of Adjusted EBITDA of joint ventures and associates, Adjusted EBITDA Proportionate, Adjusted Net Earnings, Free Cash Flow and Payout Ratio are not recognized measures under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to those presented by other issuers. Please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this MD&A for more information. 2. For more information on the calculation of Innergex's share of Adjusted EBITDA of joint ventures and associates, please refer to the "Investments in Joint Ventures and Associates" section. 3. For more information on the calculation and explanation of the Corporation's Free Cash Flow and Payout Ratio, please refer to the "Free Cash Flow and Payout Ratio" section. 4. For more information on the restatement, please refer to the "Accounting Changes" section. MESSAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS DEEP ROOTS, STRATEGIC GROWTH Driven by its mission to produce energy exclusively from renewable sources, Innergex accomplished the objectives outlined in its 2015-2020 strategic plan two years ahead of schedule, which favourably positioned the Corporation to pursue the renewable energy growth opportunities of today to shape the future. With a net installed capacity of over 2,000 MW, a presence in new markets while making headway in novel technologies, the Innergex team is working diligently to raise the Corporation’s profile and advance future projects. For nearly 30 years, Innergex has focused on producing renewable energy. This visionary positioning at the time remains aligned with our core values and proved to be a successful business strategy. It has guided the actions outlined in our strategic plan and inspired team members in laying out our domestic and international expansion. We are proud of our 2018 achievements, in which our newly expanded team demonstrated their know-how and propelled Innergex to new heights through the successful completion of numerous acquisitions while pursuing the expansion of our activities. Our quick growth is the result of the acquisition of Alterra Power Corp. in February 2018. The large $1.1 billion transaction added high-quality facilities that diversify our portfolio of assets, consolidated our Canadian presence and expanded our geographical footprint. The acquisition includes a portfolio of promising projects where we will focus our energy and allocate resources so that our growth continues over the coming years. Our strategy also included an international expansion component which was achieved among others by acquiring a 50% ownership in a Chilean company, Energía Llaima, completed in July. We have now gained a foothold in South America, a market with huge potential. With this transaction we will leverage our hydroelectric expertise in a new environment while benefitting from the extensive Chilean market knowledge of our local partners. Innergex will be better positioned to participate in new initiatives shaping the future of global energy markets. In October, Innergex completed the acquisition of the Cartier Wind Farms and Operating Entities, which it already partially owned. As Cartier’s founder, including participation in the launch and operation of the facilities from day one, it was only natural to fully integrate these activities into our current operations. These wind farms are maintained by an experienced, innovative team, which will share its expertise by contributing to all of Innergex’s wind operations so that synergies of best practices can occur throughout the organization. Additionally, the acquisition of Ledcor’s participation in the Creek Power Inc. facilities increased our position to 100% ownership of these installations. All in all, we acquired valuable assets that will produce renewable energy for the long-term whose value we strive to maximize. PROVEN EXPERTISE, INNOVATIVE PATHWAYS In the U.S. state of Texas, we are currently building our biggest wind and solar projects ever: Foard City (353 MW) will be added to our two existing local wind farms, while Phoebe (250 MWAC) will become one of the biggest solar farms in the state. These initiatives showcase the fact that Innergex has both the expertise and critical mass required to successfully launch major projects. Our history of sustainable project development and ability to adapt underpin our sensible growth process which is in line with market expectations. Additionally, other projects in the U.S., such as the Hillcrest solar project in Ohio, serve as springboards to access regions where renewable energy is scarcely present. Innergex continues to monitor the situation in Canada, most notably with new requests for proposals in Saskatchewan, or in response to needs from indigenous communities, municipalities and the private sector. In France, where Innergex’s grass roots approach of consulting local communities to shape projects is appreciated, we are leveraging this strength for continued development. Furthermore, the sustained interest for renewable energy is a bellwether of important growth. Through our Chilean presence, we are looking to increase our participation in wind and solar energy projects while pursuing the development of our hydroelectric activities. Our goal is to create both a technologically and geographically diversified production portfolio. Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. Message to shareholders p6 Annual Report 2018 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except as noted and amounts per share) Our projects also offer opportunities to innovate. We are extremely excited by the prospect of developing two photovoltaic solar energy projects with battery storage capacity in Hawaii, thanks to the Power Purchase Agreements we signed. Storage capacity increases network stability while enabling maximum renewable energy use. Innergex will acquire valuable advanced energy storage expertise that will allow us to offer solutions which are complementary to renewable energy production. We intend to participate in the growing market of cutting-edge technologies that will support smart power grids and facilitate the deployment of renewable energy. Markets continue to evolve and change, which also requires innovation. Through our Pampa Elvira solar thermal farm in Chile, we provide hot water to an industrial client whose tanks also store heat. Lessons learned from this first foray beyond the electricity sector will be useful to understand how to offer other forms of renewable energy and storage capacity. It also provides an opportunity to work with new types of clients. These are important milestones in our history and a source of pride. They are also essential to our long-term growth, as the energy landscape is changing, and it requires us to pay attention to the emerging needs of the various markets in which we are present from now on. Profitable assets, anticipating market trends and the courage to embrace new technologies are key elements that reinforce our confidence in our capacity to develop the renewable energy of tomorrow. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM Our core values guide our day-to-day decisions. We take pride in the fact that we are focused exclusively on producing renewable energy for a healthy environment. Beyond producing carbon-free energy, we strive to integrate our facilities into their surrounding environment while contributing to our host communities’ needs.
Recommended publications
  • Microgrid Market Analysis: Alaskan Expertise, Global Demand
    Microgrid Market Analysis: Alaskan Expertise, Global Demand A study for the Alaska Center for Microgrid Technology Commercialization Prepared by the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development 2 3 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Market Trends ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Major Microgrid Segments ....................................................................................................................... 5 Global demand of microgrids ................................................................................................................... 5 Where does Alaska fit into the picture? Which segments are relevant? ................................................. 7 Remote/Wind-Diesel Microgrids .......................................................................................................... 8 Military Microgrid ................................................................................................................................. 8 Microgrid Resources with Examples in Alaska .............................................................................................. 8 Wind .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Kotzebue ............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Renewable Energy in Alaska WH Pacific, Inc
    Renewable Energy in Alaska WH Pacific, Inc. Anchorage, Alaska NREL Technical Monitor: Brian Hirsch NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. Subcontract Report NREL/SR-7A40-47176 March 2013 Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 Renewable Energy in Alaska WH Pacific, Inc. Anchorage, Alaska NREL Technical Monitor: Brian Hirsch Prepared under Subcontract No. AEU-9-99278-01 NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Subcontract Report 15013 Denver West Parkway NREL/SR-7A40-47176 Golden, Colorado 80401 March 2013 303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 This publication was reproduced from the best available copy submitted by the subcontractor and received minimal editorial review at NREL. NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof.
    [Show full text]
  • Generating Electricity from Renewables: Crafting Policies That Achieve Society's Goals
    Tepper School of Business and Department of Engineering and Public Policy Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890 www.cmu.edu/electricity Generating Electricity from Renewables: Crafting Policies that Achieve Society's Goals A White Paper prepared for The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association May 26, 2008 by Jay Apt, Lester B. Lave and Sompop Pattanariyankool Electricity Industry Center Carnegie Mellon University 1 Table of Contents I. Executive Summary 3 II. Background 7 III. Detailed Characteristics of Available Technologies For Low Air Emissions 19 IV. Electric Energy Policy For Low Air Emissions 34 V. Electric Generation As A System 35 VI. Conclusion 37 References cited 39 2 I. Executive Summary Twenty-five states have indicated their dissatisfaction with the current electricity generation system by enacting binding renewables portfolio standards (RPS). They require that wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, waste or other renewable resources be used to generate up to 30% of the electricity sold by 2025. While the authors applaud using renewables to advance important social goals, we caution that forcing too rapid implementation of these technologies could lead to blackouts or unnecessarily high prices. One reason for caution in forcing rapid deployment of renewables is that large scale wind and solar generation is qualitatively different from using fossil fuels, hydro-electric, or nuclear. Unlike the technologies that have served the industry for a century, wind and solar generation are variable and they generally do not generate electricity when demand is highest. In addition, generating companies face difficulties in fulfilling the RPS goals by the required dates. Getting sufficient wind turbines would require a major increase in manufacturing capacity, since there is about an 18-month delivery delay at present.
    [Show full text]
  • Policy Options for Clean Air and Sustainable Energy in Texas
    Policy Options for Clean Air and Sustainable Energy in Texas January 2009 Prepared by: Daniel Cohan Birnur Buzcu-Guven Daniel Hodges-Copple Rice University Dan Bullock Ross Tomlin Houston Advanced Research Center Prepared for: Texas Business for Clean Air ii Acknowledgements The authors thankfully acknowledge the valuable contributions of Mr. Oviea Akpotaire. iii This page intentionally left blank. iv Table of Contents LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................................VII LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................... VIII POLICY OPTIONS FOR CLEAN AIR AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY IN TEXAS: ..................................X EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................X CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................................................1 THE AIR QUALITY CHALLENGE IN TEXAS ....................................................................................................1 1.1 OZONE ................................................................................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Ozone formation .........................................................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • Barack Obama and Joe Biden: New Energy for America
    BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN: NEW ENERGY FOR AMERICA America has always risen to great challenges, and our dependence on oil is one of the greatest we have ever faced. It’s a threat to our national security, our planet and our economy. For decades, Washington has failed to solve this problem because of partisanship, the undue influence of special interests, and politicians who would rather propose gimmicks to get them through an election instead of long‐term solutions that will get America closer to energy independence. Our country cannot afford politics as usual – not at a moment when the energy challenge we face is so great and the consequences of inaction are so dangerous. We must act quickly and we must act boldly to transform our entire economy – from our cars and our fuels to our factories and our buildings. Achieving this goal will not be easy. Energy independence will require far more than the same Washington gimmicks and continued dependence on costly and finite resources. It will require a sustained and shared effort by our government, our businesses, and the American people. But America has overcome great challenges before. With clarity of direction and leadership, there is no question that we possess the insight, resources, courage and the determination to build a new economy that is powered by clean and secure energy. Barack Obama and Joe Biden have a comprehensive energy plan that provides immediate relief to struggling families. It also summons the nation to face one of the great challenges of our time: confronting our dependence on foreign oil, addressing the moral, economic and environmental challenge of global climate change, and building a clean energy future that benefits all Americans.
    [Show full text]
  • Tribal Energy System Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Extreme Weather
    Tribal Energy System Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Extreme Weather NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof. energy.gov/indianenergy | [email protected] DOE/IE-xxxx • September 2015 Cover photos Background: Wind turbines at the Ayagina’Ar Elitnaurvik School in Kongiganak, Alaska (Energy.gov 2013) Top row: Navajo Dam and Reservoir (USBR 2011); Solar project on a house on the Grande Ronde Reservation (Energy.gov 2014); Drilling rig on the Osage Reservation (BIA 2010) Bottom row: Power lines on the Lone Pine Rancheria (Reilly 2008); Diesel fuel bulk storage facility for the Native Village of Teller (Dane 2012) Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste. ii Tribal Energy System Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Extreme Weather TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Green Power Superhighways Building a Path to America’S Clean Energy Future
    Green Power Superhighways Building a Path to America’s Clean Energy Future A joint publication of the American Wind Energy Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association 2 Green Power Superhighways Acknowledgements: This white paper represents the comments and views of dozens of wind and solar companies working through the transmission committees of AWEA and SEIA. The writing was done mainly by Rob Gramlich and Michael Goggin of AWEA and Katherine Gensler of SEIA. Production and editing was performed by Chris Madison and Mary Kate Francis of AWEA, Jared Blanton and Monique Hanis of SEIA, and Trestle Media. The conceptual map was produced by Mike Wiener of AWEA. Photo credits: Wind power cover photos, courtesy of CapX2020 Solar power cover photos, courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory February 2009 Building a Path to America’s Clean Energy Future 1 Executive Summary The United States is home to vast quantities of clean potential to generate clean electricity to the areas that energy resources – wind, solar, geothermal, and have significant demand for electric power. “Green power hydropower. Yet it lacks a modern interstate transmission superhighways” is a term to describe the power lines that grid to deliver carbon-free electricity to customers in highly would be carrying electricity from remote to populated populated areas of the country. President Obama has areas. While any number of different build-out plans called for the United States to double the production of can be envisioned for green power superhighways, the renewable energy in three years and to secure 25 percent key to any cost-effective plan is the use of high-voltage of its electricity from renewable resources by 2025.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Information Form for the Year Ended December 31, 2020
    TABLE OF CONTENT INTRODUCTION .................................................... 3 Financial and Operational Effects of NON-IFRS MEASURES .......................................... 3 Environmental Protection Requirements ........... 42 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON Employees ....................................................... 42 Social and Environmental Protection Policies .... 42 FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION .................... 3 RISK MANAGEMENT AND RISK FACTORS ...........44 CORPORATE STRUCTURE .................................... 8 DIVIDENDS ..........................................................44 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS ...... 9 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE.............45 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS .......................................... 9 THREE-YEAR SUMMARY ........................................... 10 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE 45 Financial Year 2020 .......................................... 10 Common Shares .............................................. 45 Financial Year 2019 .......................................... 12 Preferred Shares ............................................. 45 Financial Year 2018 .......................................... 14 Series A Shares and Series B Shares ............... 46 INDUSTRY OVERVIEW AND PRINCIPAL Series C Shares ............................................... 47 4.75% Convertible Debentures ........................ 48 MARKETS ........................................................... 16 4.65% Convertible Debentures ........................ 49 RENEWABLE POWER
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 8: Renewable Energy and Other Offshore Development
    Ocean Special Area Management Plan Chapter 8: Renewable Energy and Other Offshore Development Table of Contents 800 Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 8 810 Renewable Energy Overview............................................................................................ 10 810.1 Increasing Energy Demands and Global Climate Change ............................. 10 810.2 Renewable Energy Statutes, Initiatives and Standards in Rhode Island ..... 14 810.3 Renewable Energy Sources in Rhode Island ................................................... 21 810.4 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................ 33 820 Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Energy ............................................................................... 34 820.1 Offshore Wind Energy Facilities ...................................................................... 35 820.2 Turbine and Foundation Technology .............................................................. 35 820.3 Transmission Cables and Substations .............................................................. 43 820.4 Stages of Development ....................................................................................... 45 820.5 Project Costs ....................................................................................................... 51 820.6 Federal and State Incentives.............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report on U.S. Wind Power Installation, Cost, and Performance Trends: 2007 Contents Introduction
    Annual Report on U.S. Wind Power Installation, Cost, and Performance Trends: 2007 Contents Introduction . .3 U.S. Wind Power Capacity Surged by 46% in 2007, with 5,329 MW Added and $9 Billion Invested. .4 Wind Power Contributed 35% of All New U.S. Electric Generating Capacity in 2007. 4 The United States Continued to Lead the World in Annual Capacity Growth. 5 Texas Easily Exceeded Other States in Annual Capacity Growth. 6 Data from Interconnection Queues Demonstrate that an Enormous Amount of Wind Capacity Is Under Development. 9 Primary authors GE Wind Remained the Dominant Turbine Manufacturer, but Ryan Wiser a Growing Number of Other Manufacturers Are Capturing Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Market Share . .10 Soaring Demand for Wind Spurs Expansion of U.S. Wind Turbine Mark Bolinger Manufacturing . 11 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Average Turbine Size Continued to Grow, Albeit at a Slower Pace. 12 The Average Size of Wind Projects Expanded Significantly. .12 With contributions from Developer Consolidation Continued at a Torrid Pace. 13 Galen Barbose (Berkeley Lab), Kathy Belyeu Comfort With and Use of Innovative Financing Structures Increased. 14 (AWEA), Ryan Cheney (George Washington University), Lynn Coles (NREL), Sari Fink (Exeter IPP Project Ownership Remained Dominant, but Utility Interest in Ownership Continued, While Community Wind Faltered . 15 Associates), Trudy Forsyth (NREL), Maureen Hand (NREL), Donna Heimiller (NREL), Michael Though Long-Term Contracted Sales to Utilities Remained the Milligan (NREL), Andrew Mills (Berkeley Lab), Most Common Off-Take Arrangement, Merchant Plants and Walt Musial (NREL), Kevin Porter (Exeter Sales to Power Marketers Are Becoming More Prevalent .
    [Show full text]
  • GLOBAL TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT 2016 Frankfurt School-UNEP Centre/BNEF
    GLOBAL TRENDS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT 2016 Frankfurt School-UNEP Centre/BNEF. 2016. Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2016, http://www.fs-unep-centre.org (Frankfurt am Main) Copyright © Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH 2016. This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, as long as provided acknowledgement of the source is made. Frankfurt School – UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH. Disclaimer Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the decision or the stated policy of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, nor does citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute endorsement. Cover photo courtesy of Teun van den Dries/Shutterstock.com Photos on pages 13, 16, 18, 24, 27, 31, 33,
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Community Values in Wind Energy Development
    Georgetown University Law Center Scholarship @ GEORGETOWN LAW 2008 The Role of Community Values in Wind Energy Development: Exploring the Benefits and Applications of Community Wind for Reducing Local Opposition to Wind Energy Systems Amanda Vaccaro Georgetown University Law Center, [email protected] This paper can be downloaded free of charge from: http://scholarship.law.georgetown.edu/spps_papers/5 This open-access article is brought to you by the Georgetown Law Library. Posted with permission of the author. Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.law.georgetown.edu/spps_papers Part of the Energy Law Commons, and the Environmental Law Commons GEORGETOWN LAW Student Papers Series August 2008 The Role of Community Values in Wind Energy Development: Exploring the Benefits and Applications of Community Wind for Reducing Local Opposition to Wind Energy Systems Amanda Vaccaro Georgetown Law, Class of 2009 [email protected] Posted with permission of the author Amanda Vaccaro Georgetown University Law Center July 27, 2008 Introduction Wind energy is a rapidly growing sector in US and global energy markets. As a source of electricity, wind power has several attractive attributes: wind is unlimited, plentiful and free; despite their large rotor size, wind turbines have a small footprint, so most of the land on which they are located is still usable for other activities;1 wind turbines neither require nor emit greenhouse gases or toxic chemicals.2 Europe leads in wind energy production, boasting 56,535 megawatts (MW) of total installed wind capacity in 2007 – an eighteen percent increase since 2006!3 Forty percent of the EU’s new power installations in 2007 were wind power facilities.4 The United States, with its vast, windy plains and long mountain ranges, contains ample resources for wind power generation – enough to supply an estimated twenty percent of Americans’ energy needs.5 In 2007 alone, the U.S.
    [Show full text]