WIND POWER CONTINUES TO BUILD SASKATCHEWAN ECONOMY

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and Minister Responsible for SaskPower Frank Quennell visited Hitachi Canadian Industries' (HCI) manufacturing facility in Saskatoon today. They were there to find out more about a Saskatchewan economic success story and to see the work that is underway to manufacture the steel towers for the Rushlake Creek Wind Power Project in southwestern Saskatchewan.

"Hitachi Canadian Industries is a great example of how government and industry can work together to achieve great success," Calvert said. "They exemplify the business potential we have right here in Saskatchewan and are another example of our vision of a green and prosperous economy."

Hitachi was awarded the contract to build the towers for Vestas, the world's largest supplier of wind turbine technology. Hitachi will manufacture 83 steel towers – each 67 metres in height that will support a rotating structure called a nacelle which houses the turbine's generators and gearbox as well as anchor the three 39-metre long blades.

"Hitachi is pleased to once again have the opportunity to partner with SaskPower and Vestas," Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd. General Manager Murray Daku said. "It was through our original partnership on the Cypress Wind Power Project that Hitachi received our first opportunity to invest in the development of wind tower manufacturing capability in Saskatchewan. This capability has resulted in a new product within a rapidly growing market, which we have also been able to export outside of the province and country."

"SaskPower, Vestas and Hitachi have a proven track record because they partnered to build SaskPower's Cypress Wind Power Facility," Minister Responsible for SaskPower Frank Quennell said. "Vestas was awarded the wind turbine supply and installation contract by SaskPower International to build the facility and they in turn looked to Hitachi who have the expertise to manufacture this major component."

"Vestas believed in the Canadian wind energy market early on and has led the industry here with a large majority of installations in the country," President of Vestas Americas, the parent company of Vestas Canada, Tom Carbone said. "We are very proud to once again join with other wind energy industry leaders to contribute to the industrial development of clean, renewable and cost-effective wind power."

The Rushlake Creek Wind Power Project is located approximately 25 kilometres southeast of Swift Current. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Once operational and running at full capacity, the 83 turbines will generate enough power to meet the needs of approximately 64,000 Saskatchewan households.

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For More Information, Contact:

Larry Christie SaskPower Regina Phone: (306)566-3167	Rachael Kenny Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd. Saskatoon Phone: (306)242-9222 Email: Ext. 229
Michelle Montague Vestas Americas Portland, OR Phone: (503) 327-2046