To bring awareness and education to the valuable role that electricity plays in our lives and how it powers our future, June was established as ‘National Electricity Month’ by Electricity Canada (Formerly the Canadian Electricity Association).
The role of electricity can often be misunderstood and underappreciated by many. So often electricity is used without thinking about where it came from or how it is made. Therefore, it is important to shine a light on the essential role that electricity serves in powering our work, lives, and future. From the alarm that wakes us up in the morning, to the traffic lights that guide us safely home from work, electricity is vital to our every day lives.
Electricity is generated by using clean technologies like conventional hydro, nuclear, and renewables like wind, solar, and biomass, along with fossil fuels like coal, oil, and (the less carbon-intensive) natural gas. This Energy 101 (Video) explains the systems involved and what it really takes to turn on a light bulb. And, this EnergyMinute (Webmap) showcases the entire North American electricity mix by state and province, providing an overview of how energy infrastructure can be a product of the abundance of natural resources available within the region.
For more detailed information on the current energy resources in Canada’s Maritime region, please visit the Atlantica Centre for Energy web maps for New Brunswick,Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The Maritime region currently has a generating capacity of about 8,000 megawatts (MW), and while the federal government’s Emission Reduction Plan notes that, “by 2050, Canada will require two to three times the current generating capacity”, it is forecasted that the Maritime region will have decreased to about 6,500 MW capacity by that time, according to the latest Electricity Report by the Atlantica Centre for Energy.
To continue learning this National Electricity Month, explore Atlantic Canada’s Energy Transition (Resource Catalogue) for insight on what Atlantic Canada is currently doing to advance the transition to net-zero emissions with clean energy technologies and what you can do to help.
For any inquiries, please contact Chloé Burton, Clean-Energy Youth Engagement Officer at Atlantica Centre for Energy by emailing chloe.burton@atlanticaenergy.org.