Wind project dedicated in Alberta province

CALGARY, Alberta, July 16 (UPI) -- The dedication of a 300-megawatt wind energy project in Alberta underscores the provincial commitment to renewable energy, a provincial leader said.

Alberta Energy Minister Diana McQueen was on hand for Tuesday's dedication of the Blackspring Ridge wind energy project in Vulcan County, located in the south of the province. The 300 MW of power expected from the project will help meet the energy needs of about 140,000 average households.

"The Blackspring Ridge project is a joint effort between industry and government that demonstrates Alberta's commitment to renewable energy development," McQueen said in a statement.

The project is being developed by EDF EN Canada Inc. and Enbridge Inc. Blackspring Ridge received more than $10 million in support from the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corp., an independent agency created in 2009 to usher in a low-carbon provincial economy.

Enbridge is a leader in the project's development. The company says it's the second largest developer of wind energy in Canada.

Blackspring Ridge is part of its effort to generate 1 kilowatts of renewable energy for every kilowatt of conventional electricity it consumes.