Canada to invest more in renewable energy

OTTAWA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin on Saturday promised to invest more and make Canada a major producer of renewable energy.

Martin made the commitment as he toured the site of the new Canadian Wind Energy Institute at North Cape, a blustery village at the northwestern tip of Prince Edward Island.

On Friday, Ottawa announced an investment of 3.6 million Canadian dollars (2.9 million US dollars) to establish the institute and 1 million Canadian dollars (800,000 US dollars) annually for its operation.

Canada's hydro projects provide 60 percent of its power. But wind energy is the fastest-growing form of electricity production in the country. Through the Wind Power Production Incentive, a total of 13 wind farms have been established in the country. Canada 's total wind-power capacity has reached 552 megawatts.

The country is planning to invest at least 920 million Canadian dollars (740 million US dollars) in promoting wind power over the next 15 years, increasing its production target to 4,000 megawatts by 2010.