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Construction of the Energie Le Nordais (ELN) 100 MW wind farm on the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec began on May 22. The C$160 million project, in two phases of 76 wind turbines and 57 turbines, is being built at Cap Chat and Matane (“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç, April 1998). It will supply "up to 5% of the needs of the Gaspe and Lower St Lawrence regions," according to NEG Micon, a member of the ELN consortium and supplier of the 750 kW turbines. A third backer has signed on to the project. Northland Power Inc, an independent power producer in Toronto, joins the Axor Group Inc and M&N Wind Power Inc as project sponsors. M&N was formed by NEG Micon of Denmark and trading giant Nichimen Corp of Japan. Together the ELN partners are providing C$44.4 million in financing. In addition, Canadian investment companies have put together debt financing of $110 million and the Quebec government is providing a $5.6 million grant for making the towers and assembling the turbines in Quebec, says NEG Micon. Northland Power operates three power plants in northern Ontario totalling 256 MW and using wood waste and natural gas. The company is also managing the repowering of a 920 MW combined heat and power station in Kiev, Ukraine. "We are getting into Le Nordais to learn more about the construction and operation of wind projects," says Northland's Tony Anderson. Northland is an equity partner, but it will not be involved in the front end operations like Axor and M&N.