Which province did you pick as Canada’s renewable energy leader?
If you picked Prince Edward Island, you were right.
The province is on track to be 100% renewable powered by 2040.
At the 2023 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) meeting, PEI shared their vision and progress towards 100% renewable energy by 2040.
Representatives at the meeting explained that PEI is less industrial than other provinces, and is able to move quicker in their transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources.
How PEI Is Getting to 100% Renewable Energy
Power is being generated by wind turbines and solar installations, and more renewable power generation is underway.
At the same time, the use of fossil fuels by homeowners has been going down because the province has been investing in air source heat pumps through full or partial subsidies depending on household need. It’s projected that 50% of homes will use heat pumps by the end of 2023.
Coming Up: More Renewable Energy and More Emissions Reductions
PEI is already working on reducing its highest sources of emissions, which are transportation (41%), agriculture (23%) and buildings (19%). They have implemented toonie transit, are working with famers to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use by 20% and are rolling out a new program for commercial and multi use residential buildings.
The shift off carbon “is not going to be more expensive,” Myers said. “It’s going to be less expensive.”
PEI’s minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Steven Myers
Read more about PEI’s lessons and their progress towards full renewables.