WaterPower Canada congratulates the Liberal Party of Canada on their re-election

Ottawa, Ontario, September 21, 2021 – WaterPower Canada congratulates the Liberal Party of Canada on their re-election and looks forward to continuing to work with them and all Members of Parliament to ensure hydropower’s essential role in our post-pandemic economic recovery and clean energy transition is recognized and prioritized.

“Hydropower contributes more to low-cost electricity for homes and businesses than any other generation source, and it continues to be the largest renewable energy sector for investment and employment in Canada,” – said Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, President and CEO, WaterPower Canada. “As Canada builds toward a net-zero electricity supply, our abundant and reliable hydropower resource is a key strategic asset to achieving our climate goals under the Paris Agreement.”

Background

The Liberal Party of Canada’s election platform “Forward for Everyone” included a commitment to reach a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. Achieving this target will require rapid acceleration of investment by industry in the development, construction and operation of renewable electricity generation, storage and transmission projects.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Hydropower makes up more than 60% of Canada’s annual electricity production. As Canadian hydropower has ultra-low greenhouse gas emissions, this makes Canada’s electricity supply one of the cleanest in the G20 group of nations.
Canada’s installed hydropower capacity is approaching 85,000 MW. Increased hydroelectricity production can be achieved through refurbishment and redevelopment of existing units and sites, and the development of new projects. New projects will include “Pumped Storage Hydro” that supports the reliable integration of wind and solar power, and transmission to connect regions with available hydropower to those phasing out coal.
The Canada Energy Regulator projects that between 2010 and 2025, the growth in annual hydroelectricity production (65 TWh) will be higher than the growth from any other generation source including natural gas (52 TWh) and wind (35 TWh).

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About WaterPower Canada (WPC)

Founded in 1998, WaterPower Canada (WPC) is the national, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to representing the waterpower industry. Its many members span the breadth of the sector and include hydropower producers, manufacturers, developers, engineering firms and other organizations. WaterPower Canada members represent more than 95% of the waterpower installed capacity in Canada, advocating for the responsible development and use of waterpower to meet our present and future electricity needs in a sustainable manner.

For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact:

Anastasia Smolentseva, Manager, Communications and Public Relations

WaterPower Canada

613-857-3359

anastasia@waterpowercanada.ca

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