Mortenson Canada has begun construction on the St. Joseph Windfarm. The wind project will include 60 Siemens SWT-2.3 MW wind turbines, which are expected to begin generating electricity by late 2010.

“We are very proud to be in partnership with Manitoba Hydro and pleased to construct and operate the St. Joseph Windfarm, the largest wind farm in Manitoba and one of the largest in Canada,” says Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy.

St. Joseph Windfarm is expected to create 200 - 225 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 15 permanent positions. The wind project is expected to result in the payment of millions of dollars in property taxes over the life of the project with two-thirds of the tax revenue going to education and one-third going to the host communities.

"The St. Joseph Windfarm is a welcome addition to the renewable hydroelectric and wind energy sources presently available here in Manitoba," says Bob Brennan, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro.