In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Angelo interviews Mark Zacharias, the Executive Director of Clean Energy Canada. The discussion centers around a rebuttal to an article published by the Fraser Institute, which claimed that renewable energy is going to be significantly more expensive than anticipated.

Mark Zacharias addresses three main arguments presented in the Fraser Institute article:

1. Renewable Energy Costs: The article suggests that renewable energy drives up costs and is intermittent, making electricity grids less reliable. Mark counters this by highlighting examples from jurisdictions like South Australia and Iowa, where the transition to renewable energy has led to lower electricity costs. He notes that in Alberta, recent renewable energy procurements have resulted in power bids as low as $0.05 per kilowatt hour, significantly cheaper than the retail electricity rates.

2. Impact of Climate Policies on the Grid: The article argues that climate policies, such as EV sales mandates and natural gas bans, will overwhelm the electricity grid. Mark refutes this by explaining that EVs have a minimal impact on grid demand and can even contribute to grid stability through vehicle-to-grid technologies. He also emphasizes the efficiency of heat pumps compared to traditional heating methods, which can lead to overall energy savings.

3. Electricity Imports and Structural Deficits: The article claims that Canada’s reliance on electricity imports indicates a structural deficit. Mark clarifies that while British Columbia has imported power during droughts, this practice allows for strategic management of resources and has resulted in significant profits from power trading. He argues that imports can be beneficial and do not signify a failure of the grid.

Throughout the conversation, Mark emphasizes the importance of updated information and the need to move beyond outdated narratives about renewable energy. He advocates for a future where clean energy is not only viable but also economically advantageous, countering the misconceptions perpetuated by the Fraser Institute's article.

Clean Energy Canada: https://cleanenergycanada.org/