The home of Canada's energy sector is set to outpace the country in renewables growth: forecast

Source: David Thurton · CBC NEWS · | March 23, 2021

Alberta and Saskatchewan are expected to overtake Ontario in renewable power capacity

Source: A short-term forecast shows Alberta and Saskatchewan are braced for a boom in renewable energy projects. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The home of Canada's oil and gas industry is expected to lead the country in renewable energy growth, according to the Canada Energy Regulator.

The CER released its short-term outlook today, offering a glimpse of where Canadians will get most of the electricity they use in the future.

Some of the takeaways:

• Saskatchewan and Alberta are expected to outpace the country in the transition to renewable electricity.

• Ontario's renewable power push is slowing.

• Overall, however, the share of Canada's electricity coming from renewables is increasing.

The federal regulator's outlook examines current and future electricity trends for nuclear energy, fossil fuels and renewables — wind, solar, hydroelectricity, biomass and geothermal. It doesn't break down how much provinces and territories rely on non-renewables versus renewables for transportation and heating.

Canada has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Power generation accounts for 9 per cent of the country's total emissions, with coal and natural gas accounting for most of its greenhouse gas emissions. Alberta is responsible for over 50 per cent of those emissions, followed by Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.