Shear Wind Inc. TSX VENTURE: SWX

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA and CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 7, 2009) - Mike Magnus, President and CEO of Shear Wind Inc. ("Shear Wind") (TSX VENTURE:SWX) is pleased to announce that Shear Wind has secured a third build-out position on the Alberta electrical grid for the 120MW Coyote Ridge Phase I Project located in Southern Alberta. The Alberta Electric Supply Operator (AESO) confirmed positive conclusions for interconnection to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES). The interconnection will be to the most recently planned 240kV expansion line intended to be available by 2012.

"Coyote Ridge Phase I is our third Alberta project to obtain a position on the Alberta Grid. We anticipate that the 120 MW recently secured by Coyote will set the stage for Phase II development shortly thereafter," Magnus says, "This project has an excellent wind regime and will produce a correspondingly intensified energy output. The combined size of the Coyote Phase I and Phase II provides considerable value to our pipeline and to the shareholders."

"This news is what we have been waiting for over the past three years, and we continue to finalize our development in anticipation of constructing this great project" states Magnus. "We anticipate construction to commence in 2012."

Shear Wind has an active pipeline in excess of 1500 Megawatts (MW) of wind power properties strategically positioned across Canada for access to both domestic and Northeast US markets. Shear Wind's projects are located in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

About Shear Wind

Founded in 2005, Shear Wind is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is engaged in the exploration and development of renewable wind energy properties in Canada. Shear Wind is focused on building a strong company based on a secure and sustainable supply of clean wind energy. Shear Wind is committed to building shareholder value governed by environmental stewardship.

Additional information on the various projects may be viewed on Shear Wind's website: www.shearwind.com.

Shear Wind Inc. trades on the TSX-Venture as "SWX".

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain certain forward-looking Statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, including failure to secure adequate financing to develop the Glen Dhu, Glenridge, Willowridge and Coyote Ridge projects; or that plans for transmission construction by AESO and others are assured to materialize. However, we disclaim any intention and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The TSX-Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.