Canada recorded exceptionally strong growth in wind energy capacity in 2013, adding close to 1,600 MW of new capacity installed which places Canada 5th globally. The progress provides a strong foundation on which to build. Provinces have signalled a common desire to seek affordable power that provides strong economic development potential and minimal environmental impacts, characteristics highly favourable to future wind energy development.

This Sustainable Energy lecture will provide an overview of the wind energy industry in Canada with a focus on new policy developments in all major markets, key barriers to wind energy development and the prospects for 2014 and beyond.

Robert Hornung has been President of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) since August 2003. Robert is also a Board Member of the Global Wind Energy Council.

CanWEA represents the interests of its members including wind turbine manufacturers, component suppliers, wind energy project developers, owners and operators, and a broad range of service providers to the wind energy industry. CanWEA is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy and serves as a source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country’s electricity from wind by 2025; Wind Vision 2025 – Powering Canada’s Future at www.canwea.ca.

Prior to joining CanWEA, Mr. Hornung worked for nine years with the Pembina Institute, as Policy and Communications Director and Climate Change Program Director, and previously with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Environment Canada, and Friends of the Earth Canada.

Mr. Hornung has an M.A. in Political Science (University of Toronto), a B.A. in Political Studies (Trent University), and an International Baccalaureate from the Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific. He was named an Honourable Member of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2009.