For the first time in more than 150 years, Alberta's electricity is coal free
Alberta’s power grid has officially eliminated coal, but most commenters note this has largely meant switching to natural gas rather than truly low‑carbon sources. They debate how much cleaner gas actually is once methane leakage is considered, and contrast Alberta’s strong wind and solar potential with a provincial government that has paused or restricted large renewable projects, undermining investor confidence. The conversation broadens to global climate responsibility, comparing Canada’s per‑capita and historical emissions to those of China and India and weighing the trade‑offs developing countries face between economic growth and decarbonization.
Coal Phase-Out and Natural Gas Shift
- Alberta’s grid is now coal-free, but most commenters note it has largely shifted to natural gas (“methane”) rather than to low-carbon sources.
- Some generation is also backed up by oil-derived fuels in peak situations, though others dispute how widespread that is.
- Several people see this as a modest improvement (less CO₂ and particulates than coal) but not a real decarbonization.
Emissions Debate: Gas vs Coal and Methane Leakage
- Multiple comments stress that methane leaks can make gas power much worse in CO₂-equivalent terms if leakage rates are high.
- One side argues leaks are small and flaring is common, so gas remains substantially better than coal per kWh.
- Others cite studies suggesting ~5–10% leakage of gross production is plausible, which would erode or eliminate the climate advantage.
- There is skepticism about industry self-reported leak data.
Alberta Politics and Renewable Policy
- The provincial government is described as strongly aligned with oil and gas and hostile to renewables.
- A 7‑month pause on new renewables and subsequent “viewscape” and land-use restrictions reportedly killed or scared off large solar and wind investments.
- Commenters say Alberta previously had minimal red tape for grid-scale solar; that advantage is seen as squandered.
Renewables Potential, Grid, and Storage
- Alberta is said to have the best combined wind and solar resources in Canada and access to hydro-heavy British Columbia via interties.
- Some argue Alberta could reach ~70% renewables without significant storage, purely via overbuild and geographic diversity.
- Others emphasize winter peaks (e.g., −30°C evenings) and low winter sun, arguing storage and/or dispatchable backup (gas, possibly hydrogen, pumped hydro, etc.) remain essential.
- There is debate over the practicality and cost of long-duration storage (batteries vs pumped hydro vs underground hydrogen).
Economic Role of Oil Sands and Other Sectors
- Oil sands are described as extremely carbon-intensive (about 2.2× conventional oil per barrel) and responsible for significant petcoke exports burned abroad.
- Estimates in the thread: tar sands ~1.7% of Canada’s GDP but roughly one-third of Alberta’s; mining/oil/gas ~8% of national GDP.
- Several comments push back on the idea that “Canada’s economy is wholly dependent” on tar sands, noting large roles for manufacturing, services, and real estate.
Global Context and Fairness Arguments
- Some Canadians express frustration that India and China are still increasing coal use.
- Others counter that Canada’s per-capita and historical emissions are far higher; China and India are poorer, still industrializing, and rapidly building renewables.
- Several argue rich countries should both decarbonize faster at home and help finance clean energy in developing nations.