Net-zero electricity in Canada

Canada has reduced power sector greenhouse gas emissions by 60% since 2005, primarily through phasing out coal. To reach net-zero, the country must mitigate another 47 Mt of CO2e while potentially doubling or tripling electricity generation by 2050. The transition relies on scaling wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, which are now often cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. A net-zero grid is projected to reduce average household energy spending by 12% by 2050 and save households CAD 15 billion annually. Beyond economics, the shift reduces local pollutants like sulphur dioxide and mercury, which are linked to premature deaths and cognitive impairment. Key recommendations include implementing federal clean electricity regulations, facilitating interprovincial grid connections (interties), and streamlining provincial permitting processes.

• Canada's power sector has seen a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2005, largely due to the near-complete phase-out of coal-fired power generation, leaving 47 Mt of CO2e to be mitigated for net-zero.
• To support net-zero goals in other sectors, Canada may need to double or triple its electricity generation by 2050.
• Renewable energy capacity grew significantly between 2007 and 2022, with wind increasing by over 12,000 MW and solar photovoltaic by over 6,000 MW.
• A transition to a net-zero electricity grid is expected to lower energy costs, with average household spending decreasing by 12% by 2050 and annual savings of CAD 15 billion for Canadian households.
• Clean power improves public health by eliminating pollutants from coal and gas plants; for example, 14 coal plants were estimated to cause 160 premature deaths and 140 hospital admissions in 2014, costing the economy CAD 800 million annually.
• The federal government is encouraged to implement clean electricity regulations to ensure net-zero power by 2035 and to coordinate interprovincial grid connections (interties).

APA

Haig, S. (2024). Net-zero electricity in Canada. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-11/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada.pdf

Chicago

Haig, Steven. Net-zero electricity in Canada. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-11/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Haig |first1=Steven |title=Net-zero electricity in Canada |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=December 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-11/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{haig2024netzero, author = {Haig, Steven}, title = {{Net-zero electricity in Canada}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-11/powering-clean-energy-transition-canada.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }