Renewable Energy in Atlantic Canada: 18 Facts

Renewable Energy in Atlantic Canada: 18 Facts

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Renewable energy in atlantic canada - 18 facts and statistics

Did you know that over 67 per cent of energy in Canada's Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island) is generated via hydropower? Situated along the Atlantic Ocean and home to several freshwater systems, it only makes sense for Canada's coastal provinces to harness this naturally occurring energy source – and they have!

With expansive renewable energy infrastructure in place, the utility industry in Atlantic Canada employs about 11,000 Canadians and contributes over $2.7 billion to the economy. The economic impact of renewables is also expected to grow, with data from the previous decade showing 1.5% annual growth.

The Atlantic provinces are geographically blessed to be residing on some of Canada's most abundant renewable sources of energy and are a leading force in the development of renewable energy infrastructure, having $5.5 billion invested into their clean energy sectors from 2010-2017.

Canadians should take pride in the Atlantic provinces' strides towards a greener, more prosperous future for our country and planet. We sure do, which is why we have compiled this list of renewable energy facts in Atlantic Canada for you to check out. Also see:

18 Facts about Renewables in Atlantic Canada

#1 - From 2010-2017, a cumulative $5.5 billion was invested in the renewable energy sector in Canada's Atlantic [1]

#2 - From 2010-2017, $16.6 billion was invested in electric vehicle infrastructure in the Atlantic Provinces [1]

#3 - In 2021, the utility industry in Atlantic Canada employed 10,800 Canadians, contributing over $2.7 billion in real GDP and growing at 1.5% annually [2]

#4 - Nearly 68% of electricity in Atlantic Canada is generated via hydropower turbines [1]

#5 - In 2014, Atlantic Canada had a generating capacity of 208 megawatts (MW) through biomass alone, accounting for 10.2% of Canada's total biomass electrical generation capacity [1]

#6 - In 2018, 99.2% of all electricity generated in PEI was renewable, almost exclusively via wind power [2]

#7 - Renewables will make up a projected 44.5% of PEI's electricity capacity in 2023 [5]

#8 - Over 30% of PEI's electrical needs are met through both privately and provincially owned wind operations. This figure is only expected to grow, with a 40 MW onshore wind farm planned for 2025 [3]

#9 - PEI is creating a specific loan portfolio of $50 million to assist existing and new businesses to integrate clean technology solutions. On top of this, a $10 million dollar fund over the next 5 years specifically geared towards research & development in the Clean Tech Sector [4]

#10 - 70% of New Brunswick's electricity comes from non-carbon emitting sources [5]

#11 - Renewables will account for a projected 40.4% of New Brunswick's electricity capacity in 2023 [8]

#12 - Roughly a quarter of Nova Scotia's electricity came from renewable sources in 2018; 13% from wind and a combined 13.1% from hydro, tidal, and biomass [6]

#13 - Nova Scotia is the only jurisdiction in North America to have commercially generated electricity from tidal energy [9]

#14 - Nova Scotia is home to 33 hydroelectric plants on 17 river systems across the province [7]

#15 - Renewables will comprise a projected 44.5% of Nova Scotia's electricity capacity in 2023 [10]

#16 - Newfoundland and Labrador is the third-largest hydroelectricity producer in Canada [1]

#17 - Newfoundland and Labrador is home to the second-largest hydro facility in Canada: The Churchill Falls Generating Station, boasting a capacity of 5,428 MW and an annual generation of 34,000 GWh [11]

#18 - Renewables will account for a projected 94.1% of Newfoundland and Labrador's electricity capacity in 2023 [11]

The Future of Renewables in Atlantic Canada

With provincially sanctioned plans to facilitate the deployment of more renewable energy in the Atlantic provinces in the coming years, there seems to be no slowing down in the pursuit of a more green, more prosperous future for Canadians.

Prince Edward Island, for example, continues to be a leader in harnessing wind energy with plans for a new massive 40 MW wind farm to be completed in 2025. The island province is also creating a $50 million loan portfolio to assist both new and existing businesses in integrating cleantech into their operations. The government will not stop there either; it has dedicated another $10 million in funding for the research and development of cleantech over the next five years.

Nova Scotia's approach to renewables is cutting-edge, even on an international scale. The province is the only jurisdiction in North America to have commercially generated electricity from tidal energy. Not only is it setting a positive example amongst the Canadian provinces, but Nova Scotia has also helped put Canada on the map regarding renewable technology and infrastructure.

Renewable energy in Atlantic Canada is something that Canadians should be very proud of and something that we can all support fully. With the proper funding, the renewables sector will continue to provide jobs for Canadians. On top of this, it will allow our nation to be the first adopter of many clean energy solutions to come, which will further position Canada as a global leader and pioneer in clean energy.

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Learn more about renewable energy in Atlantic Canada and other parts of Canada by joining us online at Twitter, Instagram and Facebook today – we hope to see you there!

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— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) May 11, 2023

SOURCES:

1 - Clean Energy Canada – Quantifying Canada’s Clean Energy Economy. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://cleanenergycanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-03-13-Clean-Energy-Economy-FINAL-REPORT.pdf)

2 - Government of Canada – Industry Brief: Utilities - Atlantic Region 2022. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/job-market-reports/atlantic-region/sectoral-profile-utilities)

3 - Natural Resources Canada – Final Report: Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/sites/nrcan/files/energy/images/publications/2022/A%20CLEAN%20POWER%20ROADMAP%20FOR%20ATLANTIC%20CANADA-ACC.pdf)

4 - Natural Resources Canada – About Renewable Energy. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/renewable-energy/about-renewable-energy/7295)

5 - Canada Energy Regulator – Canada’s Renewable Power – Prince Edward Island. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-commodities/electricity/report/canadas-renewable-power/provinces/renewable-power-canada-prince-edward-island.html)

6 - Prince Edward Island – Renewable energy. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/innovation-pei/renewable-energy)

7 - Prince Edward Island – Speech from the Throne. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/speech-from-the-throne)

8 - Canada Energy Regulator – Canada’s Renewable Power – New Brunswick. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-commodities/electricity/report/canadas-renewable-power/provinces/renewable-power-canada-new-brunswick.html#:~:text=Hydro%20is%20the%20largest%20source,followed%20by%20wind%20and%20biomass.)

9 - Canada Energy Regulator – Canada’s Renewable Power – Nova Scotia. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-commodities/electricity/report/canadas-renewable-power/provinces/renewable-power-canada-nova-scotia.html)

10 - Canada Energy Regulator – Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles – Nova Scotia. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-nova-scotia.html#:~:text=Nova%20Scotia%20Power%20operates%2033,3%25%20of%20the%20province's%20electricity.)

11 - Canada Energy Regulator – Canada’s Renewable Power – Newfoundland and Labrador. Date accessed: May 2023 (https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-commodities/electricity/report/canadas-renewable-power/provinces/renewable-power-canada-newfoundland-labrador.html)