The government of Canada has imposed restrictions on the usage of coal for the generation of electricity, encouraging sources other than coal specifically renewables. This has largely impacted the country’s coal industry in recent years. Over the last five years (2013-2017), Canada’s coal production declined from 68.9 million tonnes (Mt) to 60.5Mt, at an average rate of 1.8%.

Currently, coal generates up to 11% of Canada’s electricity. However, coal-fired electricity generation plants are responsible for over 70% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. Thus the government has planned to shut down the domestic coal-fired electricity generation capacity and reduce greenhouse gases emission by up to 30% till 2030.

Published in Power Technology, 23rd May, 2018

https://www.power-technology.com/comment/canadian-governments-restriction-coal-usage-strengthens-demand-renewables/