Country Overview
The Dominion of Canada is bordered by the United States, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean. The population of Canada is approximately 38.78 million people.
In 2022, Canada’s economy was ranked 9th in the world in gross domestic product (GDP). The country’s economy is dependent on the export of crude oil, cars, natural gas, gold, sawn wood, raw aluminum, potassic fertilizers, and rapeseed.
Environmental Policies
In 2016, Canada signed the Paris Climate Agreement and committed to a 30% reduction in 2005 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2030.
In 2017, Canada developed the Clean Technology Data Strategy which is designed to provide reliable data for the creation of policies and programs to support the adoption of clean technology.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, 100% of the people in Canada had access to electricity. In 2022, utilities used renewable energy (69.7%), nuclear power (12.9%), natural gas (10.5%), coal (6.4%), and oil (0.5%) to generate electricity in Canada. Hydropower is the dominant type of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Canada.
Recent renewable energy projects in Canada include:
- 1,098 MW Hydropower Project – Canadian electric utility, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority is continuing work on the Site C Clean Energy Project, located on the Peace River in the Province of British Columbia. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2024.
- 465 MW Solar Project – In March 2022, Danish infrastructure company, CIP and Canadian renewable energy company, Greengate Power commissioned the Travers Solar project at a site approximately 80 miles southeast of Calgary, Alberta.
- 330 MW Solar + 100 MW Energy Storage Project – Westbridge Energy is continuing work on the Sunnynook Solar Energy project in the province of Alberta. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2024.
- 250 MW Solar + 100 MW Energy Storage – Canadian renewable energy company, Westbridge Energy is continuing work on the Doley Solar and Battery Storage project in east-central region of the Province of Alberta. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2024.
- 230 MW Solar + 100 MW Energy Storage Project – Westbridge Energy is continuing work on the Georgetown Solar project at a site approximately 35 miles southeast of Calgary in the Province of Alberta. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 200 MW Wind Project – British renewable energy company RES, Cowessess First Nation, and provincial electric utility SaskPower are continuing work on the Bekevar Wind Energy project in the Province of Saskatchewan. The project is forecast to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 93 MW Solar Project – French renewable energy company, Neoen is continuing work on the Fox Coulée solar project in the Province of Alberta. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2024.
Conclusions
Oil was first discovered in Canada in 1858 in the Province of Ontario. The export of oil and natural gas has been a major component of Canada’s economy for over 100 years.
In 2022, Canada was the 2nd largest oil exporting country in the world. Canada exports 98% of its oil and natural gas to the United States.
In 2022, Canada generated 82.6% of its electricity from zero-carbon power sources (renewable and nuclear energy) and is on track to meet its Paris Climate Agreement commitment.
Canada and the United States trade power, which provides economic and power grid stability for both countries. In 2022, Canada exported more electricity to the United States than it imported from the United States.
Hydropower is the primary source of Canada’s electricity exports to the United States. Canada’s development of new major hydropower project are designed to increase green electricity exports to the United States.
Canadian oil and gas exports to the United States are expected to steadily decline as the United States moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under President Biden.
Canada’s development of new hydropower projects will provide new sources of green electricity to the United States, while offsetting the economic impact of Canada’s declining oil and gas exports. Canada is transforming its energy economy!
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a diverse range of energy issues