PLUS GRANDS, PLUS PROPRES, PLUS INTELLIGENTS

The report argues that Canada's electrical systems must become "plus grands, plus propres et plus intelligents" (larger, cleaner, and smarter) to support national carbon neutrality by 2050. It identifies 'safe bets' (valeurs sûres)—such as expanding wind and solar capacity, improving energy efficiency, and phasing out unabated fossil fuels—and 'risky bets' (paris risqués), including small modular reactors and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The analysis emphasizes that while technical solutions exist, significant social, institutional, and political barriers remain, particularly regarding interregional grid integration and Indigenous leadership in the energy transition.

• To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Canada must significantly expand its electricity production and capacity. Total production is projected to reach 1.6 to 2.1 times 2020 levels, while total capacity may need to increase to 2.2 to 3.4 times current levels.
• Variable renewable energy, specifically wind and solar, is a critical 'safe bet' for the transition. Projections suggest combined solar and wind capacity could represent 34% to 72% of installed capacity by 2050, requiring a deployment rate 4 to 8 times faster by 2030 compared to the previous decade.
• The report identifies the phase-out of electricity production from fossil fuels without emission reduction measures as a 'safe bet'. Such production should be limited to 1% of Canada's electricity by 2050 to meet national goals.
• Energy efficiency is described as the 'first fuel' and a primary 'safe bet' to reduce the overall demand for electricity and the amount of new supply needed for electrification.
• System flexibility is essential to manage the intermittency of wind and solar. Key 'safe bet' solutions include optimizing existing hydroelectric resources, increasing demand flexibility (e.g., dynamic pricing), and deploying short-term storage (up to four hours), such as lithium-ion batteries.
• Interregional grid integration is identified as a 'risky bet' not because of technical limitations, but due to political, social, and institutional barriers. However, it could save billions of dollars annually by sharing non-emitting, dispatchable resources like hydropower.
• The report classifies large-scale new hydroelectric or nuclear projects, small modular reactors (SMRs), and advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) for electricity as 'risky bets' due to high costs, social opposition, or technical uncertainty.
• Remote and off-grid communities face unique challenges, including high dependence on diesel and extreme climates, requiring targeted approaches such as support for Indigenous-led microgrids and prioritizing energy efficiency in buildings.
• Authentic Indigenous leadership and participation are deemed essential for the success of the electrical system transformation to ensure reconciliation and self-determination.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2022). PLUS GRANDS, PLUS PROPRES, PLUS INTELLIGENTS. https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Plus-grands-plus-propres-plus-intelligents-May-4-2022.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. PLUS GRANDS, PLUS PROPRES, PLUS INTELLIGENTS. 2022. https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Plus-grands-plus-propres-plus-intelligents-May-4-2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=PLUS GRANDS, PLUS PROPRES, PLUS INTELLIGENTS |date=May 2022 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Plus-grands-plus-propres-plus-intelligents-May-4-2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianclimateinstitute2022plus, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{PLUS GRANDS, PLUS PROPRES, PLUS INTELLIGENTS}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2022}, month = may, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Plus-grands-plus-propres-plus-intelligents-May-4-2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }