According to a new report released by the Pembina Institute, clean energy has emerged as a viable and increasingly necessary solution for longstanding issues with remote energy systems in communities across Canada.
The exclusive report, Restoring the flow, is the only national scan of clean energy policy in remote communities in Canada. It finds that over the past decade, local Indigenous leadership and effective government policies have been positive catalysts for energy security, job creation, and energy efficiency for remote community residents. Clean energy has addressed fundamental challenges in remote community energy systems, including high costs, unstable and inefficient electricity and heating, and pollution.
According to the report, a wide range of federal, provincial and territorial policies and programs have been critical in supporting more resilient energy systems for remote communities. These developments demonstrate the role clean energy, collaboration, and supportive policy play in addressing longstanding challenges including remote and arctic energy security, microgrid modernization, energy sovereignty, and remote diesel reliance.
To safeguard this progress, the report urges continued focus, funding, and action on the parts of utilities and both levels of government.
