OTTAWA, August 30 2023 — Jason Dion, Senior Research Director with the Canadian Climate Institute, made the following statement in response to the new electricity trade agreement between Ontario and Quebec:
“The electricity trade agreement announced by Ontario and Quebec today is a smart move which will create benefits that flow in both directions.
“Trading electricity during periods when one province needs less and the other needs more allows provinces to tap into existing clean electricity sources before building new ones. This means more clean power is available during times of peak demand, which saves people and provinces money on electricity costs.
“Provinces need more clean electricity, quickly, to stay competitive with trading partners and attract investments in a global economy rapidly moving to net zero emissions. Building the electricity grids needed to meet rising demand is easier when provinces connect their grids, because they can leverage each other’s strengths to ensure more flexible, reliable supply.
“Interconnected electricity grids are more resilient, and agreeing to trade electricity will make Ontario and Quebec electricity systems more reliable during extreme weather events and other grid disruptions, while also making them better equipped to meet growing demand from electric vehicles and heat pumps.
“An electricity trade agreement is a positive step in the important work Ontario and Quebec are doing to build the bigger, cleaner, and smarter electricity systems the provinces need to support widespread electrification, stay competitive, and reduce the emissions that cause climate change.
“Our research shows that switching to clean electricity will save Canadians money in the long run. Today’s announcement is an example of how collaboration between provinces can help build the grids needed to power Canada’s electric future and reduce emissions, while keeping energy affordable and reliable for people.”
Contact
Catharine Tunnacliffe
Communications Director, Canadian Climate Institute
(226) 212-9883
