State of the Canadian Electricity Industry 2019

Founded in 1891, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) is the national voice of the electricity industry in Canada, contributing to the regional, national and international success of its members. CEA members generate, transmit and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers in all provinces and territories in Canada.

CEA is pleased to present this inaugural State of the Electricity Industry report. It provides a high-level assessment of the electricity industry’s progress to date and provides a prospectus on what is ahead on issues of national significance to Canadians.

Several national issues and trends are woven throughout this report. One significant challenge facing the industry is the substantial cumulative impact of federal/provincial/territorial regulations. With approximately $20 billion per year required for infrastructure renewal and market growth, the electricity industry needs an efficient regulatory framework to build the electricity system of tomorrow. Unnecessary regulatory burden could delay and suspend major infrastructure projects that are fundamental to the prosperity of Canadians.

The electricity industry is moving towards a low carbon, clean energy future. In fact, it is collectively committed to further reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; investing in renewable energy sources; pursuing electrification of transportation, buildings and industrial processes; and integrating innovative energy storage solutions to make the system flexible, reliable, sustainable and resilient for generations to come.

This outlook will guide CEA’s public policy agenda through 2019 as the industry navigates the evolving energy policy landscape in Canada. We ask our stakeholders to join us in this public policy dialogue and work towards achieving a clean energy future for all Canadians.