Federal Government Accelerates Investments in Clean Electricity

November 25, 2016 

Phasing out traditional coal-fired electricity by 2030 — an important part of the federal government’s vision of a clean-growth economy — will attract new investments in clean power across the country, grow our economy, create middle-class jobs, and improve air quality for the health of Canadians, the government says.

This and other regulatory actions announced last week will put Canada on a path to move from 80% towards 90% non-emitting sources by 2030. Clean electricity will power cars, businesses, and homes across the country. Building a smart, integrated, clean-electricity system, the government says, will deliver reliable and affordable power where it’s needed.

Clean, non-emitting energy is one of the fastest growing energy sectors. In the past decade, wind capacity has increased 20 times and solar capacity 125 times, according to the National Energy Board. 

Canada already ranks fourth in the world in renewable power generation. Hydro is the dominant source of electricity in Canada, accounting for nearly 60% of installed capacity and generation.

This fall, the federal government announced an additional $21.9 billion investment over 11 years for green infrastructure. The government of Canada will use the Canada Infrastructure Bank to finance projects such as commercially viable clean energy and modern electricity systems between provinces and territories. 

“Connecting provinces with a clean and modern electricity system is a nation-building effort that positions us to compete for significant global investments in our power sector and puts more Canadians to work,” says Dominic Barton, Chair of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth.

How we’re generating power now

Five provinces and territories generated the vast majority of their electricity from hydro in 2015, reports the National Energy Board in a new report, Canada’s Renewable Power Landscape — Energy Market Analysis. The share of electricity production from hydro reached 86% in British Columbia (BC), 97% in Manitoba, 95% in Quebec, 95% in Newfoundland and Labrador, and 94% in Yukon.

Four provinces and territories rely on various combinations of nuclear, coal, gas, oil, and renewables. In 2015, the share of renewables in total generation reached

  • 34% in Ontario
  • 28% in New Brunswick
  • 24% in Nova Scotia
  • 38% in Northwest Territories (NWT)

Three provinces and territories relied primarily on fossil fuels for electricity in 2015:

  • Alberta (90% of generation from coal and natural gas)
  • Saskatchewan (83% of generation from coal and natural gas)
  • Nunavut (100% of generation from oil)

Nearly all of the power generated in PEI is from wind, but PEI also relies on power imported from nearby provinces to meet its total demand.

A decade ago, wind, solar, biomass, and other non-hydro renewables comprised just 2% of total Canadian capacity. Growth over the last decade has been very impressive, especially with wind capacity growing 1,900% and solar growing an astounding 12,500%. However, the total share of these technologies in 2015 was just 11% of capacity, and because solar and wind are intermittent non-hydro renewables accounted for just 7% of generation.

Ontario and Nova Scotia have seen the largest gains in renewable power production over the last decade. Renewable power generation in Ontario increased from 23% to 34%. In Nova Scotia, the renewable generation share increased from 12% to 24%.

Find out more. Read Canada’s Renewable Power Landscape – Energy Market Analysis online: www.neb-one.gc.ca/nrg/sttstc/lctrct/rprt/2016cndrnwblpwr/index-eng.html.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Light and Life: Discover Innovations at Hong Kong’s Premier Lighting Events This October

    Light and Life: Discover Innovations at Hong Kong’s Premier Lighting Events This October

    October 7, 2024 REGISTER HERE At the end of October, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will host two major events in the lighting industry: the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo. Under the theme “Light and Life,” these fairs will present a wide… Read More…

  • NETCO 2023 Leadership Excellence Award Winner – Geordie Walsh IBEW 625 Halifax, Nova Scotia

    NETCO 2023 Leadership Excellence Award Winner – Geordie Walsh IBEW 625 Halifax, Nova Scotia

    October 7, 2024 Leaders and experts from the electrical industry gathered in Victoria, BC, September 5-6th, at the picturesque Inn at Laurel Point for the annual National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO) educational conference and trade show. As part of the event, NETCO presented their 2023 Leadership Excellence Award to Geordie Walsh of IBEW 625 Halifax,… Read More…

  • EFC: A Captivating Quebec Economic Forecast

    EFC: A Captivating Quebec Economic Forecast

    October 7, 2024 On September 19, nearly 50 members of the Quebec section of the Canadian Electro-federation had the opportunity to attend a highly strategic evening with none other than Valérie Beaudoin, Analyst and speaker specializing in American politics to talk about the issues that the upcoming US election decisions will have on the Canadian/Québec… Read More…

  • BC Hydro: Business Energy Saving Incentives

    BC Hydro: Business Energy Saving Incentives

    October 7, 2024 Get funding for energy-efficient equipment upgrades By focusing on what uses the most energy in your business, you can make energy-efficient upgrades for the greatest impact on savings.  The offer Business customers can upgrade any of the equipment listed below with eligible, energy-efficient models and BC Hydro will provide funding to cover… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Sonepar Canada and Bullfrog Power Collaborate to Expand Green Energy Access

    Sonepar Canada and Bullfrog Power Collaborate to Expand Green Energy Access

    October 7, 2024 Sonepar Canada has partnered with Bullfrog Power to advance its commitment to sustainability by sourcing renewable energy. This collaboration marks a significant step toward reducing Sonepar’s carbon footprint and supporting a cleaner future for Canada by choosing green electricity for its Canadian operations. Bullfrog Power’s generators supply 100% clean, pollution-free electricity to… Read More…

  • PCL Aims for Zero Incidents Under New Deal with Safety Software Company HammerTech

    PCL Aims for Zero Incidents Under New Deal with Safety Software Company HammerTech

    October 7, 2024 PCL Construction (PCL) has signed a multi-year deal with safety intelligence software company HammerTech to help make job sites safer and boost efficiencies across global operations. PCL, one of the largest construction firms in North America, has built a strong culture of accountability, measurement and innovation – delivering over $10 billion-dollar CAD of annual construction… Read More…

  • Electric Avenue Offers Free EV Charger to Enel X Commercial Customers Following Market Exit

    Electric Avenue Offers Free EV Charger to Enel X Commercial Customers Following Market Exit

    October 4, 2024 In response to Enel X’s recent decision to exit the North American market, leaving over 170,000 EV chargers orphaned, Electric Avenue is stepping up to support affected commercial customers with a limited-time offer. Electric Avenue will provide a free Watti Pro Lite 48A commercial EV charger to every Enel X commercial customer… Read More…

  • Leviton Receives Two Gold Cabling Innovators Awards

    Leviton Receives Two Gold Cabling Innovators Awards

    October 4, 2024 Leviton announced that it was recognized among the best in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry by the 2024 Cabling Installation & Maintenance Innovators Awards. Two Gold Awards were given in recognition of Leviton Network Solutions’ carbon neutrality and sustainability initiatives, and for new Leviton OPT-X™ SDX Splice Modules. The third-party… Read More…