Mixed Signals: Renewables Pause in Alberta While Feds Unveil Canada’s 2035 Net Zero Draft Policy

The podcast is back after a summer break! This week, Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) joins the podcast to discuss the recent developments in Canada’s electricity markets. 

On August 4th the Alberta government announced that Alberta is pausing new approvals for large-scale wind and solar projects for six months. Peter and Jackie asked Vittoria about the industry's reaction to this news and if a pause was required to address the concerns raised by the government, such as the impact on pristine landscapes, reclamation security requirements, and the implications for the reliability of the power grid.  

A week later, the Canadian federal government released draft Clean Electricity Regulations. The policy aims to create a net zero electricity system in Canada by 2035.  Starting in 2025, the draft rules require all new power generation assets to have low emissions (limit of 30 tonnes of CO2/GWh) by 2035. Natural gas generation is permitted if the emissions are captured or if the facility is used for short periods or in emergencies.  Natural gas power plants built before 2025 can continue to operate with unabated emissions until they are 20 years old. Peter and Jackie discuss the draft policy, including the negative response from provinces with high-emitting power systems, including Alberta and Saskatchewan. 

Content referenced on this podcast:

 Canada’s Draft Clean Electricity Regulation (released August 10, 2023) Electricity Transformation Canada Conference is being held October 23-25 in Calgary  

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