The Dawn of a New Era: Solar and Wind Power Overtake Coal in Canada for the First Time

A monumental shift is underway in Canada's energy landscape, one that heralds a greener future and marks a significant turning point in the nation's quest for clean electricity. For the first time in history, the combined might of solar and wind power generated more electricity than coal in Canada throughout 2023.

This isn't just a statistic; it's a testament to rapid technological advancements and a growing commitment to sustainable energy sources, pushing Canada closer to its ambitious net-zero targets.

This historic milestone, revealed in a comprehensive report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), underscores the dramatic acceleration of renewable energy adoption.

While coal still clings to a small, diminishing share of Canada's electricity mix at just 1.7 per cent, its days as a dominant force are clearly numbered. The IEA's findings paint a vibrant picture of Canada's clean energy trajectory, predicting an astonishing 70 per cent growth in renewable electricity generation by 2028.

This puts Canada among the global leaders in expanding its green power capacity.

However, the path to a fully green grid is not without its complexities. As Canada phases out coal, another fossil fuel — natural gas — has stepped into the breach, increasing its share of electricity generation.

It currently stands as the second-largest source after hydroelectricity, acting as a crucial "bridge fuel" to balance the grid's fluctuating demands. The intermittency of solar and wind power, which only generate electricity when the sun shines or the wind blows, necessitates reliable backup sources.

This is where natural gas, with its quick ramp-up capabilities, plays a pivotal role in ensuring grid stability, especially in provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan where it remains a significant generator.

Canada's electricity grid is already remarkably clean, with over 82 per cent of its power coming from non-emitting sources, predominantly hydroelectricity and nuclear.

The ambitious goal of achieving a 100 per cent non-emitting grid by 2035 demands unprecedented investment and innovation. Building new, extensive transmission lines to connect far-flung renewable projects to urban centers, alongside developing sophisticated energy storage solutions, are critical challenges that must be overcome.

This transition requires not just new power sources, but a complete modernization of the grid infrastructure to handle the dynamic nature of renewables.

The journey ahead is complex, balancing environmental imperatives with economic realities and grid reliability. While the surpassing of coal by solar and wind is a cause for celebration and a powerful indicator of progress, it also highlights the intricate dance between phasing out fossil fuels and ensuring a stable, affordable energy supply for all Canadians.

The ongoing evolution of Canada's energy system serves as a compelling case study for the global energy transition, demonstrating both the immense potential and the formidable hurdles on the road to a sustainable future.