Canada: A Colossal Challenge for Low-Carbon Electricity Production by 2050

Canada will need to build energy infrastructure on an unprecedented scale to meet the federal government's goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector by 2050. A major technical and economic challenge marked by delays and significant costs.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

The Canadian federal government’s ambition to eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity production by 2050 presents an unprecedented challenge. According to a study by the Fraser Institute, population growth, economic expansion, and the electrification of transportation will significantly increase electricity demand. To meet these needs solely with low-carbon energy sources, Canada will have to build infrastructure at an unprecedented pace and scale.

A Complex Equation for the Energy Mix

The scenarios considered by the Fraser Institute highlight the magnitude of the challenge. For a transition relying solely on solar power, 840 solar power plants equivalent to Alberta’s Travers Solar Project would need to be built. With an average construction time of two years per project, this would total 1,680 cumulative years of work.

In the case of wind power dependence, the country would need to establish 574 wind farms similar to the Seigneurie de Beaupré in Quebec, requiring an effort of 1,150 cumulative years of construction. As for hydropower, the scenario would necessitate the construction of 134 dams comparable to Site C in British Columbia, each requiring seven years of work, totaling 938 cumulative years of construction.

Nuclear: A Faster but Costly Alternative

The study also considers nuclear power as an option, requiring 16 reactors equivalent to those at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario. With a timeline of seven years per plant, this scenario would amount to 112 cumulative years of construction. However, costs and regulatory constraints remain a hurdle.

The example of the Site C project in British Columbia illustrates these challenges. Initiated in 1971, it took 43 years before receiving environmental approval in 2014. Its expected delivery in 2025 comes with a budget of $16 billion, far exceeding initial projections.

Regulatory and Logistical Obstacles

Canadian energy infrastructure is subject to complex regulatory processes, leading to significant delays. The construction of new sites, regardless of the chosen production method, will face challenges related to social acceptability, rising material costs, and the country’s ability to mobilize a skilled workforce.

The challenge posed by the government’s objectives is not just a technological issue but also an economic and administrative one. Upcoming decisions will need to integrate these realities to ensure a reliable and competitive energy supply in the coming decades.

US utilities anticipate a rapid increase in high-intensity loads, targeting 147 GW of new capacity by 2035, with a strategic shift toward deregulated markets.
France opens a national consultation on RTE’s plan to invest €100 billion by 2040 to modernise the high-voltage electricity transmission grid.
Governor Gavin Newsom orders state agencies to fast-track clean energy projects to capture Inflation Reduction Act credits before deadlines expire.
Germany’s energy transition could cost up to €5.4tn ($6.3tn) by 2049, according to the main industry organisation, raising concerns over national competitiveness.
Facing blackouts imposed by the authorities, small businesses in Iran record mounting losses amid drought, fuel shortages and pressure on the national power grid.
Russian group T Plus plans to stabilise its electricity output at 57.6 TWh in 2025, despite a decline recorded in the first half of the year, according to Chief Executive Officer Pavel Snikkars.
In France, the Commission de régulation de l’énergie issues a clarification on ten statements shared over the summer, correcting several figures regarding tariffs, production and investments in the electricity sector.
A group of 85 researchers challenges the scientific validity of the climate report released by the US Department of Energy, citing partial methods and the absence of independent peer review.
Five energy infrastructure projects have been added to the list of cross-border renewable projects, making them eligible for financial support under the CEF Energy programme.
The Kuwaiti government has invited three international consortia to submit bids for the first phase of the Al Khairan project, combining power generation and desalination.
Nigeria’s state-owned oil company abandons plans to sell the Port Harcourt refinery and confirms a maintenance programme despite high operating costs.
The publication of the Multiannual Energy Programme decree, awaited for two years, is compromised by internal political tensions, jeopardising strategic investments in nuclear and renewables.
The US Energy Information Administration reschedules or cancels several publications, affecting the availability of critical data for oil, gas and renewables markets.
Brazilian authorities have launched a large-scale operation targeting a money laundering system linked to the fuel sector, involving investment funds, fintechs, and more than 1,000 service stations across the country.
A national study by the Davies Group reveals widespread American support for the simultaneous development of both renewable and fossil energy sources, with strong approval for natural gas and solar energy.
The South Korean government compels ten petrochemical groups to cut up to 3.7 million tons of naphtha cracking per year, tying financial and tax support to swift and documented restructuring measures.
The U.S. Department of Energy has extended until November the emergency measures aimed at ensuring the stability of Puerto Rico’s power grid against overload risks and recurring outages.
Under threat of increased U.S. tariffs, New Delhi is accelerating its energy independence strategy to reduce reliance on imports, particularly Russian oil.
With a new $800 million investment agreement, Tsingshan expands the Manhize steel plant and generates an energy demand of more than 500 MW, forcing Zimbabwe to accelerate its electricity strategy.
U.S. electric storage capacity will surge 68% this year according to Cleanview, largely offsetting the slowdown in solar and wind projects under the Trump administration.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.