Transforming Alberta’s Electricity Grid to Net-Zero - A Changing For Climate Video
Oct. 05/22
Change for Climate is a climate change initiative from the City of Edmonton.
Oct. 05/22
Change for Climate is a climate change initiative from the City of Edmonton.
When you flip on a light switch at home, do you wonder where the electricity comes from?
Just a few years ago, more than 80% of Alberta’s electricity came from coal-fired power plants.
Fast-forward to the end of 2023 and the last coal-fired plant in Alberta will close. That’s seven years ahead of schedule!
This is great news for climate action and energy transition. This action alone will reduce Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 million tonnes: that’s equivalent to taking seven million cars off the road!
Edmonton’s energy transition goal is to reach net-zero by 2050, and zero emissions electricity is essential to success. Today, Capital Power produces around 20% of the electricity Albertans use daily. As a former coal-fired generator, they have pledged to transform their power generation to net-zero emissions by 2050.
“I think it's important to understand that what we're going through is an actual transition; not just Capital Power, but the energy industry in total,” says Brian Vaasjo, CEO of Capital Power.
The last operating coal-fired power plant in Alberta is Capital Power’s massive Genesee Power Plant, west of Edmonton. By 2023, Genesee will be completely off coal and converted to natural gas.
Capital Power is also adding carbon capture and storage to the gas plant, along with a large 210-megawatt battery system. The batteries can be used as back-up for the gas plant, or to store renewable energy to be used as needed. Brian says the Genesee Power Plant is also hydrogen-ready.
This is a step in the right direction, and more action will follow to get the grid to net-zero. Capital Power is also investing heavily in wind and solar power with about 11 operations in North America today.
For Brian Vaasjo, energy transition has meant monumental changes for his company. Having switched to gas generation, the trick is to find the right mix of renewable energy, carbon capture and other solutions to get the grid to net-zero.
“I never thought that I would be in the position of moving an organization like Capital Power through to a greener future,” says Vaasjo. “The changes that are taking place are very exciting and they're all in the right direction.”
Changing For Climate is a series featuring everyday Edmontonians, businesses and organizations who are actively Changing for Climate—and getting us closer to our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
For more information, visit edmonton.ca/ChangingForClimateSeries.
