CANADA PLANS OFFSHORE WIND

Michael C. Burns, chairman, NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc.: “We need new sources of energy that exert a minimal impact on the environment. The solution already exists in Europe, where energy constraints demanded an innovative approach decades before North America became concerned about its own domestic supply. The resource of choice among policy-makers: Wind energy.”

Canada's wind energy industry is booming. Burns wants to lead Canada into the offshore wind market. It's an idea whose time has come.

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Pioneering wind power; First offshore project in Canada proposed for Hecate Strait
Michael Burns, April 18, 2008 (Vancouver Sun)

WHO
NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc. (Michael C. Burns, chairman)

Canada's best wind is on the left coast - where NaiKun wants to build. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Naikun Wind is slowly, steadily moving forward on the development of Canada’s first offshore wind installation.

WHEN
- Planned in multiple phases.
- First phase, initiated in 2001: 320 megawatts connected to mainland and Haida Gwaii (of the Queen Charlottes Islands) grids via seabed transmission cables.
- Since 2003: Work with local leaders to create dialogue and education.
- August 2007: NaiKun and Haida Power Authority opened the Haida Gwaii Energy Centre (in Masset) to provide project and BC energy information.
- 2008: A new series of workshops, consultations and community activities.

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WHERE
- Wind is part of the energy mix in 70+ countries around the world.
- British Columbia (BC) has good wind energy assets in its Peace region and especially good offshore wind assets along its north coast.
- NaiKun Wind wants to build Canada’s first offshore wind project in Hecate Strait near the coast of Haida Gwaii of the Queen Charlottes Islands.
- Europe has had offshore wind energy for 2 decades.
- NaiKun is based in BC and run by BC executives.

WHY
- Canada and its western-most province, BC, are committed to the fight against global climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
- BC has a carbon tax, is signed into the Western Regional emissions trading group organized by Western U.S. governors and has a team of experts designing an emissions reduction program.
- Hecate Strait has strong, consistent wind, a flat seabed, shallow water and access to the B.C. grid.
- The United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, Sweden, France, Belgium and Denmark will bring offshore projects online in the next 2 years.
- Cautious siting preparations are being made, including the making of environmental impact studies and the considering of local population concerns.

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QUOTES
- Burns, chairman, NaiKun: “British Columbia has long been known for its natural resources and environmentally friendly values. Now is the time to put that reputation to work with clean energy development and climate change leadership…”
- Burns, chairman, NaiKun: “Our goal is to build a project that is widely supported and that complements and diversifies the existing north coast industry, not diminish it.”