PATHWAYS TO NET ZERO

Sector

Power (Electricity)

Function

Provides lighting, heating, cooling, mobility and powers motors, other machinery and devices that underpin modern society; enables industrial processes

GHG emissions

9% of Canadian GHG emissions

Options for decarbonization

Replace fossil generation with non-emitting sources; deploy additional low carbon generation (centralized and distributed), and transmission and support technologies, to meet the increased role of electricity in providing energy services; manage demand to limit required generation capacity additions and energy requirements.

Stage of transition

Diffusion

Nature of the problem today

Some provinces still heavily dependent on fossil energy; ageing infrastructure; concerns over rising costs; tradition of provincial autarky

Other systemic issues

Energy reliability/security; electricity costs and efficiency losses; centralized versus distributed control

Opportunities and concerns

Reduction in air pollution; clean electricity exports; economic opportunities

Priorities for action

Phase out of coal; interprovincial transmission ties between carbon-intensive and clean provincial grids; support for renewables deployment; enhancement of grid infrastructure; measures to manage electricity demand

Longer-term issues

Increased electricity supply and storage capabilities to reliably electrify transportation, buildings, and industry; integrating a large proportion of intermittent/variable renewables (wind, solar) on electricity grids; where appropriate accommodating more distributed generation