LONGUEUIL, QC, May 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX: INE) (the "Corporation") congratulates Mr. Gilles Lefrancois, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, who is the recipient of the Quebec wind energy industry's "personality of the year" award. He was given this award during the first wind energy industry gala held May 7 in Matane "for his leadership, his contribution to positioning Quebec's wind energy industry and his sound professional relations within the wind power community".
Mr. Gilles Lefrancois founded Innergex in 1990 to develop small-hydro projects in the Province of Quebec. Since then, two distinct entities have been listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Active in North America, Innergex Power Income Fund (TSX: IEF.UN) owns 197 MW of hydroelectric and wind power projects, and the Corporation develops, owns and operates hydroelectric and wind power projects.
Mr. Gilles Lefrancois, a true visionary, initiated wind measurements in the Gaspe Peninsula in early 2000's. He believed in the wind energy potential of the Gaspe region and found a partner to form Cartier Wind Energy. Cartier Wind Energy submitted 7 projects totalling 740 MW following the first Hydro-Quebec Distribution's wind energy call for tenders in 2004, which were all selected. The projects' expected in-service dates range from 2006 to 2012. The Baie-des-Sables and the Anse-a-Valleau projects were commissioned in 2006 and 2007 respectively, and the Carleton project is currently under construction.
Being a leader and a unifier, he implemented important associations in the Province of Quebec such as l'AQPER in the early 90's and the Coalition pour la promotion de l'energie eolienne.
Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. is a developer, owner and operator of hydroelectric facilities and wind energy projects in North America. The Corporation's management team has been involved in the renewable power industry since 1990. The Corporation owns a portfolio of projects which consists of one operating facility (8 MW), interests in nine development projects with power purchase agreements under construction or to be constructed between 2008 and 2012 (gross expected capacity of 565 MW), and prospective projects (gross expected capacity of more than 1,500 MW). Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. also owns 16.1% of the Innergex Power Income Fund, a publicly traded income fund listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (IEF.UN), and acts as its manager under long-term management agreements.
Forward-looking statements
Investors should note that some statements in this press release are forward-looking and may not give full weight to all potential risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are, by their nature, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results, actions or events could materially differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are only valid as of the date they were made. The Corporation does not undertake to update forward-looking statements except in accordance with applicable laws.
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