Western provinces have options to meet demand growth while reducing GHG, costs

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.