‘This is as much about economic diversity as it is about cleaning up the grid’
Alberta can wean itself off coal and meet up to 70 per cent of its electricity needs with wind power and other renewable sources within 20 years according to a recent report from the Pembina Institute.
Currently about 25 per cent of Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity generation. The report lays out ways Alberta can cut its reliance on inefficient coal plants by adopting technology that’s already being used by other countries states and provinces. “It’s practical” says Tim Weis director of renewable energy and energy efficiency for the Pembina Institute. “If we wanted to do it we could.”
The report presents two possible scenarios for the province — a “pale green” scenario and a more ambitious “green scenario.” Improving energy efficiency is key in both scenarios. “That’s really the number 1 area we need to invest in because it pays for itself almost every time” says Weis. The report also recommends harnessing more power from wind cogeneration and hydro.
The report calls on Alberta to start a renewable energy task force and invest in renewables. “This is as much about economic diversity as it is about cleaning up the grid” Weis says. He notes that U.S. President Barack Obama has said he’ll create new green jobs south of the border. “This is where the market’s going and it would be prudent to diversify our economy a little bit and start thinking of those options.”
