CALGARY, AB — Scott MacDougall, Director of the Pembina Institute’s electricity program, made the following statement in response to the Alberta Electric System Operator reporting zero coal generation and forecasting no coal generation.
“Alberta’s electricity grid is operating coal free and there is zero coal anticipated in the short term and long-term supply and demand forecasts. This is an incredible feat for the previously coal dominant province and offers many benefits for Albertans, including cleaner air and cost-savings on energy bills.
“Coal was still the primary energy source for electricity generation in Alberta in the early 2000s, hitting a high of 80% in March 2001. While Alberta’s last coal plant has yet to be confirmed as repowered, the fact the province is now forecasting to operate a coal-free grid this week and for the coming months indicates the province is well on its way to achieving its goal of phasing out coal – decades ahead of schedule.
“Alberta’s progress towards phasing out coal is a good reminder of the importance of good policy design with target dates. Establishing a coal phaseout timeline provided certainty for industry and stakeholders and allowed for efficient investment decisions aligned with phasing out coal. It also offers a case study for the remaining coal jurisdictions around the world.
“It’s critical we keep up the emissions reduction progress achieved through coal phaseout and take this moment to reimagine the grid for 21st Century. Modernizing the grid means cleaner air, cheaper energy bills, and fewer grid alerts for Albertans. But we still need to bring online more wind, solar and battery storage, improve interties, support demand-side management measures, and develop the necessary policies to achieve this.”
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Key facts
- The proportion of Alberta’s electricity generation from coal peaked in the early 2000s – hitting a high of 80% in March 2001.
- As late as 2015, the target date for full coal phase-out in Alberta was 2061. Achieving this milestone in 2024 is more than three decades earlier than was previously regarded as possible by many stakeholders.
- Our research finds that a net-zero grid could include 1.8 GW to 5.2 GW of gas capacity, some of that with carbon capture and storage.
- Wind and solar are already the most cost-effective sources of electricity.
- In the U.S. and Europe, existing unabated gas capacity is already more expensive to operate than building new renewables.
- Demand-side management programs employed in Ontario have reduced energy demand 15% from what it would otherwise be today.
Contact
Courtney Smith
Senior Communications Lead, Pembina Institute
647-797-9353
Background
Report: From Coal to Clean: Canada’s progress toward phasing out coal power
Report: Breathing in the Benefits: How an accelerated coal phase-out can reduce health impacts and costs for Albertans
