Federal Government Powering Up to 100% Renewable Electricity by 2025

November 23, 2016

By 2025, says the federal government, 100% of electricity used in its buildings and operations will be from renewable energy sources. This target supports a goal to reduce the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40% as early as 2025.

Speaking at a renewable energy industry conference in Calgary, Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, indicated that this initiative will create significant new demand for renewable electricity across Canada, including significant purchases of renewable electricity for Department of National Defence installations in Alberta (Calgary, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Wainwright, and Suffield).

Progress towards this reduction will be achieved by strategic investments in infrastructure and vehicle fleets, green procurement, and support for clean technology. Already, the government announced $2.1 billion in Budget 2016 towards repairs and retrofits to a wide range of government buildings, and to the greening of government operations.

“The government must do its part to meet the challenges of climate change to leave a prosperous and sustainable economy and a strong middle class for the next generations,” says Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board. “All departments are on board to get it done.”

“The Federal Government’s commitment to purchasing 100% renewable electricity from sources, such as solar energy, as early as 2025 makes a significant contribution to Canada’s innovation and environmental protection agenda in two ways,” says John Gorman, CanSIA President and CEO. “Firstly, they have the purchasing power to make a difference. Not only will their actions directly displace significant levels of greenhouse gas emissions, it will also give rise to new businesses and infrastructure. Secondly, being a part of the global response to climate change will bring changes to the decisions that are made by all consumers for goods, products and services. By leading by example, the Government of Canada is demonstrating that every one of us has a role to play in making the right decision for future generations.”

National Defence (DND) and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) account for more than 75% of all government greenhouse gas emissions. However, by 2025, 100% of the electricity used in PSPC facilities will come from green energy sources. DND will be purchasing a significant amount of renewable electricity for their installations in Alberta. This will meet most of their electricity requirements for installations in Calgary, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Wainwright, and Suffield.

The government’s investments will also include revitalizing the heating and cooling plants in the National Capital Region, which provide services to more than 85 buildings and facilities. This investment will modernize six separate facilities and is expected to reduce emissions by more than 45%.