Officials from NextEra Energy Canada ULC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, the largest generator of wind and solar power in North America, have selected GE advanced wind turbine technology for six new wind farms in Ontario. Using GE's new 1.6-100 wind turbine, the world's most efficient turbine in its class, the new wind farms will produce more than 460MW of clean power, which is enough energy for nearly 120,000 homes in Ontario.

GE will supply 288 of its 1.6-100 wind turbines for the NextEra Energy Canada projects, marking one of the first installations of this technology in Canada. GE has secured more than 1,200MW of global commitments for this technology since its launch in May. Featuring 100m blades, the 1.6-100 captures additional energy in low-wind environments.

This project, part of an investment of more than $1 billion by NextEra Energy Canada, the projects support Ontario's Green Energy Act.

"We are pleased to expand our partnership with GE as we continue our efforts to bring these important wind projects into service to increase Ontario's supply of clean, wind-generated electricity," states Armando Pimentel, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources. "These projects will benefit the environment, and they will help to create jobs and generate additional economic opportunities throughout the province of Ontario."

Under the provisions of the Green Energy Act, 50% of all project goods and labor must come from Ontario at the time they reach commercial operation. This agreement will help NextEra Energy Canada meet its commitment to creating jobs and economic opportunities in Ontario.

Manufacturing facilities of GE and its suppliers in Port Colborne, Ottawa, Windsor, and Stony Creek will all contribute to fulfilling the agreement with NextEra Energy Canada in meeting its domestic content commitments.
"We developed our new 1.6-100 wind turbine specifically to meet the higher performance and efficiency challenges of today's wind industry, in Canada and worldwide," states Vic Abate, vice president of renewable energy for GE. "After the strong global acceptance of this technology, we're extremely pleased that our 1.6 wind turbines now will have a major presence in Canada."

Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Canada won a 20-year power purchase agreements by the Ontario Power Authority to develop the projects, which will be located at six sites across Ontario, with expectations to enter commercial operation in 2013 and 2014. Together, these six projects look to create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Ontario Green Energy Act, passed by the Ontario legislature in May of 2009, is intended to expand renewable energy production, encourage energy conservation, and create green jobs.

GE's wind turbine technology is qualified under ecomagination, the company's commitment to address challenges such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions, and abundant sources of clean water. GE's current product portfolio includes wind turbines with rated capacities ranging from 1.5MW to 4.1MW and support services ranging from remote monitoring and fault resolution to complete operations and maintenance support.