Minister Wilkinson Welcomes the Canada Electricity Advisory Council Final Report to Help Build Canada’s Clean Electricity Future
Source: | · GOVERNMENT OF CANADA · | June 10, 2024
A clean electricity grid is central to our fight against climate change. In fact, studies show we will not meet net-zero emissions by 2050 without decarbonizing our grid. Equally important is growing the size of the grid to meet the needs of current and future Canadian homes and businesses, which projections show could more than double by 2050 in a net-zero context. Successfully meeting our clean electricity goals is not only a priority for the Government of Canada but could deliver nearly 40 percent of our long-term climate targets. Critically, these goals must be achieved in a manner that ensures electricity is affordable and reliable. Canadians in every corner of the country must be able to conveniently and affordably heat their homes, turn on their lights and drive their vehicles, and this federal government has been working hard to ensure electricity across the country is reliable, affordable and clean.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, welcomed the release of Powering Canada: A Blueprint for Success, the final report from the Canada Electricity Advisory Council. The report lays out the Council’s findings and provides 28 recommendations to inform future Government of Canada policy initiatives.
Launched in May 2023, the Canada Electricity Advisory Council is an independent panel of electricity sector subject matter experts from every region of the country, chaired by Philippe Dunsky. Council members included Indigenous partners, electricity sector utilities, regulators and think tanks. Over the Council’s one-year mandate, it undertook 80 meetings and engagement with over 100 partners.
The consensus recommendations in the report of the independent Council speak to the need to both address climate change and ensure we seize the massive economic opportunities enabled through the transition to a low-carbon economy. The report highlights that a clean, reliable grid will save Canadians money into the future.
With over 80 percent of Canada’s electricity already emissions-free, Canada starts from a place of strength, which we can leverage to ensure continued success and prosperity. For example, Canada’s non-emitting grids have been key to securing over $50 billion in investments in the electric vehicle supply chain in the last two years alone and will be crucial to Canada’s success in the emerging global hydrogen market.