Toronto Wind Farm To Be Tested In Lake Ontario

Could an offshore wind farm help solve the city's power shortage? Toronto Hydro will test out the idea this spring.

Someday in the not-too-distant future, Torontonians may be able to stand on the Scarborough Bluffs and see as many as 30 big wind turbines turning, two kilometres out in the waters of Lake Ontario.

Toronto Hydro plans to start testing the lake winds this spring, setting up a tower to support an anemometer — a device that measures wind speed. If the results are favourable, the company will consider building a 60-megawatt wind farm offshore — enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.

The project is still in the early stages and so far has only limited approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources, said Joyce McLean, director of strategic issues for Toronto Hydro.

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