In a wide-ranging public communication initiative, the Canadian Electricity Association has focused on conveying the value of electricity to stakeholders and the general public.
Key messages include the following:
• Electricity has become an indispensible necessity.
• As a share of major daily household expenses, electricity in Canada averages out to less than two per cent, or two cents of every dollar spent.
• It takes major investments and long-term planning to help ensure this infrastructure is in place where and when we need it.
• We need to leave a functioning and reliable system to our children as part of our legacy to them.
• We need to plan ahead and invest in electricity infrastructure so we can leave a reliable and safe electricity system for the next generation.
Part of the initiative includes a long-term vision outlined in a document titled “Vision 2050.” The vision document observes, “The Conference Board of Canada estimates that, over the next 20 years, some $350 billion must be invested just to maintain the reliability of the system we have today. … If we fail to make needed changes in infrastructure, we will face the challenge of maintaining an increasingly aging system, with reduced reliability and major operational challenges. Conversely, if the electricity industry’s vision is implemented, and infrastructure is replaced at a sustainable level, along with a commitment to accelerate and integrate innovation with appropriate enabling policies, we will be well on our way to an even better electricity system and economy.”
For more information, readers may view online the CEA 2014 initiative “Power for the Future” at this location:
http://powerforthefuture.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/OntarioBrochure.pdf
The Vision 2050 document is at http://powerforthefuture.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Vision2050.pdf