Wind Power for Michelin in Canada

Michelin and Barrington Wind Energy Ltd. of Halifax, Nova Scotia are set to announce a contract for the supply of power, produced by wind turbines, for the tyre manufacturer’s three tyre plants in Nova Scotia. Michelin will be Barrington’s main customer for the proposed $25 million project, with eight to 10 turbines to be built on public and private land near Canso and operating in 2008.

“It’s a great opportunity to make electricity and not burn fossil fuels,” said Grant Ferguson, manager of Michelin’s Waterville plant. “The deal is about an environmental focus rather than financial,” he continued. “We’ve got a clear goal to improve our use of natural resources.”

The Canso wind farm has been in the planning stages for almost three years. Michelin and Barrington started talking last year about using power from the project. Financial details were not disclosed, although Mr. Ferguson said Michelin is not making a direct capital investment in the project.

The contract is for 12 megawatts, the amount of electricity needed to power about 3,300 homes in an average year. “We can use that and multiple times more,” said Mr. Ferguson.