Demand for electricity is expected to increase for the western provinces (Manitoba to BC plus the NWT), according to a summary for policymakers in the region. A recent Regional Electricity Cooperation and Strategic Infrastructure (RECSI) Western Region Summary for Policymakers studied no less than a suite of eleven possible energy generation and transmission alternatives, and found several interprovincial projects that could meet the growth in demand while achieving deep greenhouse emission reductions.
“Win-win” projects, i.e. reductions in both GHG emissions and annual costs for utilities, include options for interties between Manitoba and Saskatchewan, restoring the existing B.C.-Alberta intertie to full capacity, and electrification of LNG and upstream natural gas production in B.C.
As the report observes, Alberta has an energy-only market structure, while the others in the region have vertically integrated utilities; accordingly, decisions in the different areas will be driven by different factors – profit motives in the case of Alberta, versus provincial objectives in the rest. The report suggests that Natural Resources Canada can work with the provinces on the most promising projects.