Alberta went hours without coal power for first time in years, AESO says
Posted March 15, 2024 12:16 pm.
Coal power, once a mainstay for the province’s electricity needs, is on its way out, as Alberta transitions away to other sources of energy.
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) says on Feb. 2, the electric grid drew zero power from the province’s two remaining coal fired plans west of Edmonton for 11 hours.
Capital Power says work to convert units Genesee One and Two to natural gas will be completed by the end of the year.
Many were skeptical in 2015 when the Alberta government, under then-NDP Premier Rachel Notley, announced it would completely kick coal power generation to the curb by 2030.
But, the phase out is now years ahead of schedule.
In 2023, pure gas generation accounted for about 69 per cent of total power in Alberta — up from 56.7 per cent in 2019. Renewables have outpaced coal in that department for the second straight year at 16.5 per cent, while coal accounts for 12.2 per cent.
It’s quite the change from 2016, when Alberta had 18 coal-fired plants helping to power the electric grid.
Back in 2019, coal and dual-fired plants were responsible for 44 per cent of Alberta’s net-to-grid generation.
A statement from the United Conservative government says the phaseout reflects a shared commitment with industry, adding electricity emissions have dropped by 53 per cent since 2005.
