The Saskatchewan government said it has reached an agreement in principle with the federal government to give it flexibility in transitioning from coal-fired power plants to renewable energy.
Under terms of the agreement, Saskatchewan would be able to continue to use coal-fired power plants for electricity past 2030 provided the province meets or exceeds federal emission targets.
“This agreement is good news for Saskatchewan’s environment and the provincial economy,” Saskatchewan’s Environment Minister Scott Moe said.
“We can proceed with our aggressive plan to move to 50 per cent renewable energy generation capacity by 2030, cutting emissions by 40 per cent over the 2005 level.”
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The equivalency agreement will give the province the flexibility to transition to additional renewable energy, including opportunities for carbon capture and storage.
Last week, the federal government announced the entire phase-out of coal-fired power plants by 2030 or to use carbon capture and storage.
“I’m very pleased to work with the province of Saskatchewan toward an equivalency agreement that makes sense for them and that considers the innovative steps they’re taking toward renewable electricity and lower emissions electricity sources,” federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna said.
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Saskatchewan currently uses carbon capture at one coal plant. No decision has been made on whether it will be expanded to other coal-fired plants.
According to SaskPower, 42 per cent of the province’s power came from coal in 2015, while 34 per cent came from gas and 14 per cent from hydro.
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