Powering the Clean Energy Transition: Net-Zero electricity in Canada

This policy brief from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines the economic, health, and security benefits of transitioning Canada to a net-zero electricity grid by 2050. It argues that electrification across all sectors will require doubling or tripling electricity generation, which can be achieved through renewables to lower household costs, improve public health, and enhance energy independence.

• Canada has already reduced power sector greenhouse gas emissions by 60% since 2005 due to the near-complete phase-out of coal-fired electricity. To reach net-zero, the remaining 47 Mt of CO2e must be mitigated while potentially doubling or tripling electricity generation by 2050 to support the electrification of other sectors.
• A net-zero electricity grid is projected to lower energy costs for Canadians. The Canadian Climate Institute (CCI) expects average household energy spending to drop by 12% by 2050, while the Canadian Energy Advisor Council (CEAC) estimates annual household savings of CAD 15 billion by 2050, with 70% of households saving an average of CAD 1,500 per year.
• Transitioning to renewables enhances energy security and price stability by reducing reliance on internationally traded fuels like oil and gas, which are subject to supply shocks such as those following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, electricity is 2 to 4 times more efficient than the energy sources it replaces for heating and vehicles.
• The shift to clean power provides significant public health and environmental benefits by eliminating pollutants from coal and natural gas. In 2014, Canada's 14 coal-fired plants were estimated to cause 160 premature deaths and 140 hospital admissions, costing the economy CAD 800 million annually.
• Grid reliability can be maintained through Canada's hydroelectric resources combined with wind, solar, storage, and interprovincial electricity-sharing infrastructure (interties). The cost of battery storage projects declined by 89% globally between 2010 and 2023.

APA

Haig,, S. (2024). Powering the Clean Energy Transition: Net-Zero electricity in Canada. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada

Chicago

Haig,, Steven. Powering the Clean Energy Transition: Net-Zero electricity in Canada. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Haig, |first1=Steven |title=Powering the Clean Energy Transition: Net-Zero electricity in Canada |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2 December 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{haig2024powering, author = {Haig,, Steven}, title = {{Powering the Clean Energy Transition: Net-Zero electricity in Canada}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }