![Referring to CER’s 2020 reference and evolving policy scenarios, CanREA believes Canada is not on a net zero pathway, and it needs to take proactive and immediate steps to encourage faster deployment of wind, solar and storage. (Source: CanREA)](http://media.assettype.com/taiyangnews%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FPresentation1110-944x350-1.png?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) has come out with a new report saying that Canada needs to deploy 3.8 GW wind energy and 1.6 GW solar energy annually for next 29 years if it aims to achieve net zero target by 2050. With its current policies the country is clearly 'not on a net-zero pathway', it emphasized.
The Powering Canada's Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA's 2050 Vision outlines the steps Canadian governments, utilities, system operators and regulators need to take to deploy solar and wind energy ensuring a 10-fold expansion in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Together, wind and solar energy account for 178.48 GW capacity under CanREA's 2050 Vision illustrative scenario, broken down as 109 GW wind (2019: 14 GW), and 47 GW solar (2019: 3 GW). The authors of the report see required build of the 2 renewable energy technologies on an average to grow over a 5-year period for the next 29 years with 27 GW. Compare this to 9.2 GW as the highest 5-year wind and solar addition ever in Canada that took place between 2011 and 2015.
Compare this also to negligible amounts of 389 MW of new wind (166 MW) and solar (233 MW) capacity installed in Canada in 2020. In 2021, CanREA expects the country to add 1 GW of new combined capacity.
On the other hand, the current policies under Canada Energy Regulator's (CER) 2020 reference scenario forecast the combined capacity of wind and solar to add up to a total of 33.13 GW by 2050, whereas CER's 2020 evolving policy scenario forecasts 60.73 GW by 2050. The evolving policy scenario counts the impact of continuing the historical trend of increasing global action on climate change.
CanREA argues that wind, solar and energy storage technologies will play a central role in driving rapid decarbonization and hence their massive expansion is a must for Canada to make net-zero a reality. "Our industries are up to the challenge, but require clear signals from governments, increased collaboration among electricity sector decision-makers, and immediate actions to address existing barriers to this urgent deployment," said CanREA President and CEO Robert Hornung.
Through the 2050 Vision, CanREA demands the authorities to deliver on the following:
Engie North America was quick to offer its support to CanREA's proposals. In a statement issued, the utility company's Chief Renewables Officer Dave Carroll called the recommendations 'critical and practical' and said the renewables deployment must be accompanied by the transformation of the electrical infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to meet the net zero aim for Canada.
The Complete 2050 Vision document is available on CanREA's website for free viewing.