Representatives from the energy efficiency industry, NGOs, labour and academics met in May this year to come up with recommendations for a national energy efficiency plan - focusing particularly on the role of the federal government in leading and coordinating such a plan. CanREA and CEEA are now pleased to publish the results of these discussions. At the same time CEEA is publishing its 2009 Report Card on provincial and federal energy efficiency programs.

Our vision for energy in Canada is one where:

1. Canadians and their governments accept the significant value and benefits of energy efficiency.
2. Reduction in energy use through efficiency is established as a national goal with targets that are regularly met.
3. Canada as a nation has collaboratively put in place successful nationwide energy efficiency initiatives that are transforming the way we all use energy in every sector.

The federal government has built a strong foundation for investment in energy efficiency through initiatives like the successful EnerGuide home rating system and regulations under the Energy Efficiency Act.  However, Canada is falling far short of its efficiency potential. Only 8 % of homes have had a retrofit. Many buildings operate at 50% below their efficiency potential. Most of us still commute by car. Support policies vary considerably across the country and many Canadian homes and businesses are not enjoying the benefits of efficient energy use throughout the economy. Much more needs to be done.

We recommend that the federal government increase its support for national energy conservation and efficiency initiatives across Canada by immediately taking steps to set targets, maintain and strengthen national support services, accelerate the regulation of efficiency, lead the efficiency market through procurement, and support national initiatives on housing, buildings, communities, industry, and transport.

Download the National Energy Efficieny Strategy

Download the model national energy efficiency initiatives

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance 2009 Report Card awards ‘A+’s to Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, while giving a ‘B+’ to Alberta for its improvement over D+ in 2007. The Report Card also gives the federal government a ‘B+” although this is mostly due to the strong 2009 EcoEnergy efficiency programs which all end in 2011. Another reason why we need a new national efficiency strategy now, with sound targets, new innovative support programs, and more national collaboration. This is also the conclusion of the International Energy Agency in its review of Canada’s energy policy.

For more information please contact CanREA members Roger Peters (rogerp @ cyberus.ca), Tim Weis (timw @ pembina.org), or Clifford Maynes (cmaynes @ greencommunitiescanada.org).

While 600 MW of new large scale renewable power projects will still be procured using a bidding process, community based feed-in tariffs (COMFITs) will be established for 100 MW of local power projects developed by municipalities, First Nations, co-operatives, and non-profit groups. Assistance with technical design, financing, and regulatory requirements will be provided to these groups under the plan. Small businesses operating through Community Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIFs) will also be eligible for the community based feed-in tariffs.

Electricity produced from wind, biomass, tidal, wave, in-stream hydro as well as combined heat and power projects will be eligible for COMFIT rates that reflect basic cost-recovery, including the cost of capital.

Many observers have congratulated Nova Scotia on the introduction of feed-in tariffs and for the leadership and example that this provides to other provinces. “The plan put forward today shows how Canada’s province that is most dependent on coal power can take major strides to reduce that dependence by using renewable power” says Tim Weis, Director of the Pembina Institute’s Renewable Energy and Efficiency Program. ”Nova Scotia is setting a leadership example for other coal dependent provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, to follow.”

“The Nova Scotia community based feed-in tariffs provide an excellent model for other provinces to follow, particularly those that have a tradition of using public power like British Columbia and Quebec” says Roger Peters, CanREA National Secretary.

Others are disappointed that feed-in tariffs will not be used for all renewable power procurement as they are in Europe and Ontario. Individuals and businesses wanting to invest in renewable power projects are offered only “enhanced net metering” - payment for power produced at the same price as they pay for power used. With the absence of solar from COMFIT, this effectively rules out investment in solar photovoltaic power systems in Nova Scotia.

Farmer developed projects are also not curently defined as ”community” projects and are therefore also not eligable for the feed-in tariff as they are in Ontario.

To ensure renewable power is developed sustainably, biomass power generation has been limited to 700 GWh/yr and tidal power will be developed “safely”.

The Province will review all of the components of the Plan in 2012, including the possibility of expanding the use or feed-in tariffs.

For more commentary on the Nova Scotia plan see Wind-works by Paul Gipe.

These are the conclusions of a new report by CanREA President Jose Etcheverry of York University Renewable Energy Update from Ontario: Feed-in Tariff Yields Strong Market Response

As of February 2010, proponents of renewable energy projects had
submitted 956 FIT contract applications totaling more than 9,625 MW. The Ontario Power Authority has signed contracts for 2533 MW of this capacity that will involve close to $10 billion investment. The Ontario grid can only accommodate about 2,500 MW of new renewable energy capacity. However, this limited figure will increase as transmission and distribution networks are improved and the Province’s conservation and efficiency targets are met.

To download the brochure for the event click here.

At a workshop at York University November 19, 2009, two leading expert practitioners described the Spanish experience, and answered questions on how Ontario could learn from Spain as it develops a smart grid stratety to intergrate more renewable power into the grid through the Green Energy Act.

HUGO LUCAS PORTA from the Spanish Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving  provided a history of Spain’s feed-in tariff experience and described the policies that Spain will use to meet its Europeam Union target of 20% renewable energy by 2020.

MIGUEL DE LA TORRE RODRIGUEZ, Director of Operations, RED ELÉCTRICA de España, S.A. described how Spain operates its renewable power control centres, and through accurate forcasting has been able to intergrate over 50% wind and solar power into the grid.

Download Hugo Lucas Porta’s presentation here.

Download Miguel de la Torre Rodriguez’s presentation here.

“Feed-in tariffs are supposed to be based on the cost of the electricity produced plus a reasonable return for the producer” said David Coon, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. “The proposed price is too low to enable communities to develop renewable energy projects. They just won’t be able to afford it.” In Ontario, wind power projects are paid between 13 cents and 19 cents/kWh and solar beteween 40 cents and 80 cents /kWh. These prices have resulted in contracts for 2500 MW of new renewable power projects in less that a year.

The new Community Energy Policy also does not guarantee access to the grid as a true feed-in tariff program should. The initial phase of the will consist of 75 MW, of which 50 MW will be assigned to community-owned projects and the other 25 MW to First Nations projects. To qualify under the policy, projects must not be larger than 15 MW in capacity. They must be majority-owned by First Nations, municipalities, co-operatives, not-for-profit organizations or institutions. New Brunswick-based private corporations and investors may be minority partners.

Eleven workshops will be held between March 8 and 24 to educate interested communities and partners about the policy. This could provide an opportunity for participants to advocate a more effective Feed-in Tariff Program. For details on the workshops see the Community Energy Policy news release.

On July 28, 2009, Nova Scotia Energy Minister Frank Corbett announced aggressive new targets for renewable electricity. By 2015, 25 per cent of Nova Scotia’s electricity will be supplied by renewable energy. To help figure out how best to reach the targets, the province asked David Wheeler of Dalhousie University to consult with interested parties and report back to government.

Dr. Wheeler’s report “A New Renewable Energy Strategy for Nova Scotia”, was tabled on December 31, 2009. It makes three key recommendations:
1. Power utilities and independent power producers be responsible for the delivery of the bulk of the target, overseen by a new renewable energy procurement body and system operator;
2. Community enterprises receive a guaranteed price for electricity through a feed-in tariff with an initial goal of 100MW capacity; and
3. Ordinary citizens and small and medium sized enterprises be encouraged to become engaged in renewable energy generation and use.

The Report includes 25 more detailed recommendations. One urges the Premier of Nova Scotia to make an early statement of intent to establish Feed In Tariffs covering - at a minimum Wind, Biomass, and Combined Heat and Power. This would declare a confidence building direction for renewable energy in the province.

Cheryl Ratchford from CanREA member Ecology Action Centre served on the Project Advisory Steering Committee.

The first round of contracts awarded under Ontario’s FIT and MicroFIT programs will produce 2500 megawatts (MW) of electricity and will generate in excess of $5 billion in investments in manufacturing, design, construction and installation and create thousands of new green jobs. The contracts include 700 rooftop solar PV systems under the MicroFIT program.

Ontario’s feed-in tariffs provide guaranteed access to the grid for renewable energy power sources and provide a premium price sufficient for these sources to provide an adequate return for investors.

To read an update on the FIT and MicroFIT program lauch download the Ontario Power Authority’s Feed-in Tariff Backgrounder

For more information on new MicroFIT projects less than 10 kW, download Ontarians get green light for 700 solar rooftop projects

For further information please contact Dr. Jose Etcheverry at mobile    1.416.843.2484    and/or via email at rejose @ yorku.ca.

Keep up to date on COP 15 results and international renewable energy activities through the following sites: 

Climate Action Network Canada:

http://www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/

Danish Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy:

http://www.folkecenter.net/gb/news/world/COP_15/

International Renewable Energy Agency:

http://www.irena.org/

International Feed-in Cooperation:

http://www.feed-in-cooperation.org/