Current Affairs

Devastating derecho hitsOntario-Quebec

Reliability and resiliency are important to electricity providers, both of which were put to the test on Saturday, May 21 when a devastating windstorm called a derecho, left over a million customers across Ontario and Quebec without power.

Electricity Canada’s Ontario Mutual Assistance program was on the case right away. By 8 p.m. that Saturday, electricity providers in Ontario were on a call facilitated by Electricity Canada, assessing which electricity companies needed assistance in repairing their grid, and connecting with neighbouring utilities that could provide personnel and resources. These calls continued throughout the week after the derecho - and more assistance was deployed where requested.

Most utilities keep spare quantities of poles and cables and even transformers at the ready for a situation where they are needed. But even so, this storm stretched everyone’s limits. Hydro One needed over 1,600 poles, Hydro Ottawa needed 200+. By comparison, the tornadoes in the Ottawa region in 2018 only destroyed 80 poles. Consequently, the storm will put further pressure on supply chain as we move from flooding season to wildfire season.

The majority of those affected by the derecho had power restored within the week, and the remainder was slowly restored the following week. Nevertheless, we need to be continuously ready for more extreme weather due to climate change. This will not be easy: supply chain and labour issues will make this more difficult, especially as the federal government has mandated that we achieve a Net Zero electricity grid by 2035, a mere 4,957 days away.

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• Electricity Canada appeared before the House of Commons Natural Resources Committee
  
• Electricity Canada appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
  
• President & CEO of Electricity Canada, Francis Bradley, on the need for a reliable electricity grid
  
• Electricity Canada and the Canadian Gas Association Respond to the Draft EIFEL Legislation
  
• Reaffirming Electricity Canada’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  
• Reliability and Resiliency Award
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• Regulatory Forum on Net Zero 2035 & 2050
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Electricity Canada Launches The Grid Magazine: The Accelerate Issue

Electricity Canada is proud to release the 2022 edition of our annual magazine The Grid.

The Grid is one of the many ways we share the latest electricity sector news and trends with our members, partners, government, and other stakeholders as a way to educate on the sector’s priorities and advocate on its behalf.

Accelerate – the theme for 2022 – was inspired by the sense of urgency that we feel right now, as Canada’s ambitious climate goals loom closer and closer. With targets of a 2035 Net Zero electricity grid, and a 2050 Net Zero economy rapidly approaching, the clock is ticking and decisions that affect Our Energy Future must be made faster than ever before.

The Grid features stories, op-eds, and thought leadership pieces from our members, staff, and guest contributors.

Electricity Canada would like to thank our member contributors from Alectra Utilities, AltaLink, Capital Power, Elexicon Energy, ENMAX, FortisAlberta, Hydro Ottawa, Liberty Utilities, NB Power, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Ontario Power Generation, and TC Energy.

A special shout-out to our guest authors: Michelle Branigan from Electricity Human Resources Canada, and Matthew Klippenstein from the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.

READ NOW!

Other stories

• Federal Government Releases Budget 2022
• Electricity Canada Holds First Hill Day in Two Years
• Electricity Canada Submits Comments on the Clean Electricity Standard (CES)
• Energy Sector Calls for National Regulatory Task Force
• Electricity Canada Comments on FERC Dynamic Line Ratings Proposal
• Electricity Canada's President and CEO Francis Bradley speaks about a Net Zero grid to Parliamentary press gallery
• FortisAlberta receives Sustainable Electricity Company designation from Electricity Canada
• Electricity Canada celebrates Earth Day
• Electricity Canada Presents: DataBytes

Electricity Canada: making our energy future happen

More. Faster. With action on climate desperately needed, the Canadian government has indicated its desire to work toward a Net Zero grid by 2035. Electricity Canada’s newly released State of the Canadian Electricity Industry Report “Accelerate Net Zero”, examines the impact that this target is having on the sector and offers an overview of necessary actions and specific recommendations to help Canada’s electricity industry continue to provide safe, secure, and sustainable electricity for all Canadians.

The report touches on four key themes:
More and Faster: Getting to a Net Zero Grid
An industry Ahead of the Curve: Looking Beyond the ESG Hype
Regulating and Policymaking for Net Zero: Moving from Ambition to Transition
Time to Accelerate Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

The report was officially launched at the Globe Forum in Vancouver on March 30th and was presented by Electricity Canada's President and CEO, Francis Bradley. Mr. Bradley discussed the actions required to accelerate Canada’s transition to Net Zero and how an “all of the above approach” will be needed to decarbonize the electricity sector in just 13 years.

A more detailed discussion on the issues and challenges faced by electricity companies on the path to Net Zero followed, with a few of Electricity Canada’s Board members joining the stage – thank you Kate Chisholm, Chris O’Riley and Roger Dall’Antonia for this important discussion.

THE FULL REPORT IS AVAILABLE HERE

Other stories

• House of Commons Committee Releases Budget Report
• Government Releases Its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan
• Clean Electricity Standard (CES)
• Public Safety Broadband Report Released
• Electricity Canada Appoints New Board Chair
• The Clock Is Ticking For Canada'sGreen Electricity Grid
• Electricity Canada Presents: DataBytes
• National Net Zero Campaign
• Government of Ontario's EV Focused Letter to Minister Champagne
• Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada
• Measurement Canada Publishes Innovative Policy to Encourage Deployment of Advanced Streetlights
• Electricity Canada Hill Day
• The Town of Oakville Participates in Earth Hour

Electricity Canada: making our energy future happen

As of March 1st, 2022, the Canadian Electricity Association is now called Electricity Canada.

This rebranding is key component of the association's efforts to help move Canada toward a decarbonated future under Net Zero. “I am proud to lead this rebranding effort for Electricity Canada as we reimagine our energy future,” said Francis Bradley, President, and CEO of Electricity Canada. “With just 13 years remaining to meet Canada’s Net Zero by 2035 targets, Electricity Canada, and our members, will be integral to our nation's success as we innovate our way to an electrified future.”

With a new tagline “Our Energy Future”, Electricity Canada continues the mission it began over 130 years ago: to be voice of the evolving electricity business in Canada. Only now, we are working to be the recognized leader in Canada’s energy transition for members and the customers they serve.

On a practical level, this rebrand means some important changes for our members and customers. We have redesigned our website and changed our extranet to a “Member Portal” to better serve members and key stakeholders. All this is to reflect our vision of leading the way to a decarbonized future.
This initiative would not have been possible without the guidance of the Board of Directors providing their feedback and guidance during an extensive brand review and we are grateful to everyone for their helpful advice.

Here's to the future!

Other stories

• State of the Canadian Electricity Industry Presentation at the Globe Forum
• Electricity Canada Makes Budget Recommendations
• Electricity Canada Conducts ‘Advocacy Blitz’
• Power Marketers Council (PMC) Meeting
• Electricity Canada Presents: DataBytes
• Electricity Canada Celebrates International Women’s Day
• BC Hydro Highlights Electricity Canada’s Wildfire Mitigation Guide
• Electricity Canada and Member Companies are Closely Monitoring Geopolitical Issues

International Energy Agency Releases Annual Electricity Market Report

In January, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its annual Electricity Market Report. Electricity growth grew by 6% worldwide caused mainly by increasing extreme weather conditions including a cold winter and strong economic growth. The demand for electricity drove up prices of coal and natural gas in Asia and Europe. As a result, emissions went up in 2021 after a two-year downward trend. The IEA is predicting that the growth in renewables will largely meet the increased demand for energy around the world but will not replace the reliance on coal and natural gas.

In Canada, overall demand increased by 3% due to extreme weather events and economic growth. The continued phase out of coal across the country is contributing to the sector’s overall greenhouse gas decline. The IEA noted that the coalition established between Canada and the United States, Powering Past Coal Alliance, now has 48 national governments on board. The report gives a nod to Canada’s growth in hydropower with the development of Muskrat Falls, the Keeyask Project, the Romaine Project and the construction at Peace River’s Site C Dam set to be operational in 2025.

CEA’s Vice President of Government Relations Michael Powell responded to the release of the IEA report noting, “The IEA rightfully gives credit for how our clean, reliable and affordable grid positions us to decarbonization the economy. But we have a lot of work to do to meet the needs of tomorrow.”

Other stories

• CEA’s National Residential Customer Survey 2021
• Episode 051: Serge Abergel and Hydro-Québec’s role in greening the grid in northeastern North America
• Behind the Meter Study
• CEA Presents: DataBytes
• Building on Canada’s electrical advantage
• The Climate Adaptation Challenge
• Supply Chain Committee Q1 Meeting
• CEA Welcomes Two New Corporate Partners

Canada’s Electricity Sector Innovates for a Net Zero Future

The Canadian Electricity Association’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) celebrates Canadian innovation and cutting-edge technology in the electricity sector.

This year, we focused exclusively on a unique group of projects that align with the Government of Canada’s emissions reduction targets. Our commitment to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2050 cannot materialize without the electricity sector’s dedication to generate, transmit, and distribute clean power. “The Net Zero Edition” highlights and celebrates 15 innovative projects and initiatives from our members across Canada that will help shape our collective energy future and meet our collective climate goals.

During these unprecedented times, members of the Canadian Electricity Association have continued to keep the lights on and provide us the power to persevere through the new challenges we are currently facing. And in doing so, utilities have demonstrated ingenuity, creativity and transformed how we think about the electricity sector today, creating economic, social and environmental benefits for all Canadians.

Other stories

• Knowledge Centre Launch
• Episode 050: Bryce Conrad and Hydro Ottawa, a Sustainable Electricity Company
• Episode 049: Project developer Dan Balaban and the future role of renewables
• Ontario Mutual Assistance Group (OnMAG) first successful Mutual Assistance for utilities across Ontario after windstorm
• CEA Power Marketers Council (PMC) Meeting
• CEA & CGA Security Committees Meeting