VANCOUVER, March 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Finavera Wind Energy Inc. ("Finavera" or the "Company") (TSX-V: FVR) is pleased to announce the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office ("EAO") has completed its review of the 47 megawatt Tumbler Ridge Wind Energy Project. The Application has now been referred to the Minister of Environment and Minister of Energy and Mines for a decision on the award of an Environmental Assessment Certificate ("EAC"). The Ministers have up to 45 days to assess the application and issue a decision.

Finavera Wind Energy President and COO Peter Leighton said, "The Tumbler Ridge application is the result of several years of environmental studies, First Nations and community consultation, and detailed analysis of potential impacts. The review process with the Environmental Assessment Office is now complete and we look forward to a positive decision from the provincial government. Finavera is confident the project can be built with minimal environmental impacts and would deliver clean, renewable electricity to British Columbians. An Environmental Assessment Certificate, combined with a long term power purchase agreement with BC Hydro that is already in place, would allow the project to move forward towards construction in late 2012."