A Clean Energy Vision for Canada – zero-carbon electricity grid by 2050

December 9, 2016 – OTTAWA—Canada’s abundant renewable electricity resources offer the country a competitive advantage in global efforts to cut carbon pollution and deliver clean growth, and can power our economy as it shifts from fossil fuels to clean energy.

That’s the core message in the vision laid out by the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity in advance of today’s First Ministers Meeting on clean growth and climate change.

To deliver on Canada’s potential to harness the environmental and economic benefits of renewable electricity, the report—Canada’s Advantage: A Vision for Renewable Electricity in Canada—offers the following recommendations.

1. Aim for a zero-carbon electricity grid by 2050. Implement policies to phase-out practically all emitting generation sources by 2050 and ensure the sustained growth of the share of generation produced by renewable sources.
2. Shifting from fossil fuels to clean electricity. Commit to increasing the use of electricity in our energy system to over 50 per cent of all energy used in Canada by 2050, by shifting from fossil fuels to clean electricity for buildings, transportation and industry.
3. A renewable energy export strategy. Prioritize the development of a renewable energy export strategy, including work on streamlining of cross-border transmission projects, and efforts to increase the export of renewable electricity technologies and services.

“The transition to clean energy is underway around the world, and it’s picking up speed. With 65 per cent renewable electricity, Canada is amongst the world leaders and we’re just scratching the surface of our potential. Now is the time to double-down and harness our incredible renewable electricity potential, ” said John Gorman, President, Canadian Solar Industries Association.

Key Facts

• Renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, and water currently meet 65 percent of Canada’s electricity needs.
• Canada has the cleanest, most renewable electricity generation system in the G7, and the fourth largest renewable energy capacity in the world.
• The federal government’s recently released Mid-Century Long-Term Low-Greenhouse Gas Development Strategy includes, as “building blocks,” increased electrification of all end-use application that currently rely on fossil fuels, continued decarbonization of the electricity sector, and increased interprovincial and intercontinental cooperation on electricity.

“Different sources of renewable electricity have different attributes that, when put together, can complement each other to ensure we have clean, reliable and affordable electricity across Canada,” said Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada