OTTAWA \u2014 Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his government\u2019s intention to adjust clean electricity regulations on Thursday, in an effort double the capacity of Canada\u2019s grid by 2050.<\/p>\n
The announced change was part of the federal government\u2019s new National Electricity Strategy.<\/p>\n
As part of that strategy, the federal government will conduct consultations over \u201cthe next few months\u201d with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and utility industries and unions on how to best provide financing, labour and build out domestic manufacturing capacity to increase Canada\u2019s grid output.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs our industries expand, our economy grows, AI accelerates, electricity demand is expected to double by 2050, so we will double our grid,\u201d said Carney, at a press conference on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes as Carney government seeks to accelerate the development of major projects like ports, mines, liquified natural gas export facilities and artificial intelligence data centres, which are projected to increase electricity demand.<\/p>\n
The strategy includes several pillars: building out the infrastructure that is needed, supplying trades workers, connecting Canada\u2019s \u201cfragmented\u201d grid by integrating provincial and territorial grids through expanded transmission lines.<\/p>\n
The strategy also addresses the current clean electricity regulations which were finalized in December 2024, which aims to achieve a net-zero electricity grid by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050.<\/p>\n
Industry has criticized the regulations and argue it will drive up costs and threaten grid reliability.<\/p>\n
In response, the strategy aims to address those concerns, while also maintaining the goal of net-zero by 2050, however the changes to the regulations are expected to alter the emissions trajectory of the electricity sector. Currently, the sector represents seven per cent of Canada\u2019s total emissions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe global context has changed, and Canada faces new and urgent pressures and threats,\u201d the strategy reads. \u201cAn evolved approach is required.\u201d<\/p>\n
The document outlines the \u201cstrategic role\u201d of natural gas, especially in Western Canada, which provides a level of operational flexibility that complements wind and solar renewables.<\/p>\n
The strategy document also said change to the regulations is aimed at \u201cavoiding stranded assets by enabling greater flexibility for existing units to maintain reliability and avoid costly premature replacement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Building out the grid by 2050 will require an additional $1 trillion in investment over the next 25 years. Since 2000, provincial and territorial ratepayers have supported investments of almost $450 billion in electricity infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The sector already gets $25-30 billion of investment a year, but the strategy aims to get that number close to $40 billion a year to meet the $1 trillion investment target.<\/p>\n
The Major Projects Office is also expected to play a role in building out the interprovincial transmission lines.<\/p>\n
More to come.<\/p>\n
National Post<\/p>\n
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