How green is my valley?

“Our drive for renewable has pushed Ontario from lagging to leading in green energy,” boasted, in November 2008, George Smitherman, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. It should be pointed out that the province has set itself the task of eliminating coal-driven electric power stations by 2014 and that it is today endowed with Canada’s three largest wind farms. According to official sources, 75% of energy produced in Ontario comes from non-polluting plants. The latest of these to date are the 44 wind turbines at Port Alma, on the edge of Lake Erie, with the capacity to supply electricity to 30,000 households. “Developing more renewable energy projects is not only good for the environment; it’s good for the economy,” argues the province’s Premier Dalton McGuinty, while specifying that the construction of the site has created 70 jobs. Ontario’s wind energy production capacity has increased by over 6,200% since 2003 and it is in Shelburne, in the province, that the country’s largest wind farm is located.
Wishing to raise leading green economy companies in Ontario, the government, in July 2008, invested 8 million Canadian dollars (4.7 million euros) in the company 6N Silicon specialised in solar energy. Through the Next Generation of Jobs Fund  (valued at 1.15 billion Canadian dollars or 672 million euros over a five year period), 6N Silicon has been able to create a new plant in Vaughan, representing 84 new jobs. “We've chosen Ontario because of the skilled workforce, competitive business environment and the tremendous support we've received to help us commercialize our technology. The speed 6N needed to serve our customer's needs was certainly matched by the province,” considers Paolo Maccario, CEO of 6N Silicon.