Happy New Year!
2020 is off to a busy start for CanSIA's policy team!
CanSIA has been working on various initiatives across Canada on the federal and provincial levels and we're excited to share some updates.
The Federal Government’s ambitious agenda on clean growth and climate change will help to unlock significant market opportunities for both large-scale and BTM renewable generation and energy storage across Canada. Over the coming weeks, CanSIA will be holding a number of key meetings with Ministers and staff in advance of the 2020 Federal Budget, to ensure that commitments like the Greening Government initiative are delivered upon, and that the proceeds of carbon pricing are reinvested to deliver maximum opportunity for solar and storage.
In Ontario, CanSIA continues to advocate for a clear regulatory framework to enable Third-Party Ownership and Virtual Net Metering, and we are pleased to be working in partnership with the Retail Council of Canada in this important effort. CanSIA is also actively taking part in the OEB’s Distributed Energy Resources Connections Review and consultations exploring resource adequacy in the province, as well as the IESO’s Energy Storage Advisory Group.
Finally, the Community Generation Working Group (CGWG) in Alberta, which CanSIA spearheads, played a central role in compelling the AESO to reconsider reforms to how distribution network infrastructure is paid for in the province. Technical consultations will be taking place over the coming weeks with a view toward establishing a more fair charging methodology for both generators and consumers. The CGWG will also be taking part in the second phase of the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) inquiry into the future of the province’s electricity distribution system. In close collaboration with our CanWEA colleagues and with member feedback, CanSIA also submitted comments to the AUC on a draft revision of Rule 007, “Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments”. CanSIA's comments focused on removing red tape around permitting large-scale ground-mount solar, and we are particularly keen to avoid needless and unscientific restrictions based on a misunderstanding of “glint and glare” impacts. We will remain active in this consultation process over the coming weeks and months.
Now is the time for our industry to think big, aim high and take decisive action to seize this opportunity! If you are not already a CanSIA member, this is a great time to support the Association as it actively pursues federal advocacy efforts to strengthen the solar and energy storage industries across Canada.
