HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2012) - Shear Wind Inc. ("Shear Wind" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:SWX) announced today that it has appointed Gonzalo Prado Pichel as interim Chief Financial Officer effective February 6, 2012. Mr. Prado Pichel will assume the position upon the departure of Bill Bartlett who has tendered his resignation effective as of that date to pursue other career challenges outside the renewable energy sector.

Mike Magnus, Chief Executive Officer commented, "On behalf of Shear Wind, and its board of directors, I want to thank Bill for his dedication and service to the Company. He has been instrumental in Shear Wind's successes to date and we wish him all the best in his future pursuits."

Mr. Prado Pichel holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Vigo and a Master of Finance from the Universidad Santiago de Compostela and currently serves as Controller to Inveravante Inversiones Universales, S.L., ("Inveravante") an international corporation based in Spain, which indirectly owns 62% of Shear Wind on a fully-diluted basis and 49% of Glen Dhu Wind Energy Limited Partnership through its subsidiary, Genera Avante Holdings Canada Inc.

Shear Wind also announced the grant of an aggregate of 2,750,000 options pursuant to the Company's incentive stock option plan, 1,500,000 of which were granted to officers, 500,000 to independent directors and 750,000 of which were granted to Inveravante as consultant to Shear Wind . Each option is exercisable to purchase one common share of Shear Wind until January 17, 2015 at an exercise price of $0.15. All options vested immediately.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Shear Wind in any jurisdiction.

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 ] .

Forward-Looking Statements / Information

This news release may include certain forward-looking information, including statements relating to business and operating strategies, plans and prospects, using words including "anticipate", "believe", "could", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "project", "seek", "should", "will", "would" and similar expressions, which are intended to identify a number of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information reflects current views with respect to current events and is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking information as a result of a number of material factors, including failure to secure adequate financing to develop projects of Shear Wind. Shear Wind undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking information.

Shear Wind Inc. trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "SWX".

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