The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is issuing the following statement in response to the Fraser Institute's report called Generating Electricity in Canada from Wind and Sunlight: Is Getting Less for More Better than Getting More for Less?
"The Fraser Institute has missed the mark on the facts and conclusions in its analysis of the contributions renewable energy is making in Canada. Wind energy provides reliable, cost-effective and clean electricity to provincial grids while generating local economic development, creating thousands of jobs and reducing carbon emissions across Canada.
"Wind energy is the lowest-cost option for new electricity supply in Canada and is a corner stone to helping electrify the economy and meeting climate commitments. The wind energy industry is committed to working with communities, governments and system operators to ensure the responsible and sustainable development of the wind energy industry in Canada as the electricity grid is transformed to power a low-carbon future."
- Jean François Nolet, Vice-President, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CanWEA
Background
- Wind energy is the lowest cost option for new electricity supply, without subsidies (Lazard 12.0).
- Weighted average cost per kwh for 592 MW of new wind power in Alberta: 3.7 cents.
- The Pan-Canadian Wind Integration Study demonstrates that Canada can source more than one-third of its electricity from wind energy without compromising grid reliability - while capturing wind energy's economic and environmental benefits.
- Reports by The Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity and Clean Energy Canada show how renewable energy sources can power the economy while cutting carbon emissions and deliver clean growth for Canada.
- CanWEA's Wind Energy Grid Services Primer provides insights about advancements in variable generation integration, the key capabilities of wind power generation facilities when it comes to grid services, and market considerations to encourage continued success.
- According to Bloomberg's 2019 New Energy Outlook, a boom in batteries means wind and solar energy will provide almost 50 per cent of global electricity by 2050.
- Wind integration in Canada and the U.S. is increasing, with six states and one province already generating 20 per cent or more of their electricity using wind energy.
- The National Renewable Energy Laboratory report titled Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electricity Generation has demonstrated that wind energy is one of the most environmentally-sustainable forms of generation even when impacts are considered on a life-cycle basis for all of the resources required to enable wind energy to be produced.
- The U.S. Department of Energy's What is the Smart Grid video illustrates how the smart grid will revolutionize how electricity is generated and used, and how more clean renewable energy can power the grid.
- Vision: A Wind Energy Vision for Canada
- Current Status: Wind Energy in Canada
- Blog: Wind Energy Destined to Become Immune to Partisan Politics
- Event: Canada's Largest Wind Energy Conference, October 8-10, 2019 | BMO Centre, Calgary, Alberta
For more information
400-240 rue Bank Street
Ottawa Ontario
Canada K2P 1X4
www.canwea.ca
