Renewable energy refers to electricity production from sources that are naturally renewed and/or replenished such as waterpower, wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, tidal and wave. Green energy implies a broader definition that includes, in addition to low impact renewable energy sources, electricity production from sources that have a small environmental impact such as those that use emissions and energy that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere to generate electricity, including landfill gas and certain forms of biomass.

Green and renewable energy is becoming part of the Canadian consciousness and Canada has a vast potential for all sources of green power. Canada currently lags other OECD countries in terms of green power development, but is expected to post the biggest gains in the years to come. The visionaries at the forefront of this progression of this era of sustainability understand the vast benefits.

Green energy has many benefits:

• Produces zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emissions, which are linked to climate change, helping Canada meet its targets under the Kyoto Accord.

• Produces fewer other regional air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury.

• Contributes to sustainable development.

• Enhances energy security.

• Diversifies Canada’s energy portfolio.

• Creates employment in growing industries, which could also lead to clean energy and technology exports.

• Grid stability.

Green energy is the fastest growing sector of electricity production technologies, in Canada and globally. Prices for electricity generated from green sources have decreased significantly for many of these technologies and all now offer competitive prices with conventional energy sources, with the added benefit of providing long term price stability.

Green energy projects are supported by many government incentives, both at the federal and provincial levels. The federal government and most provincial governments now have minimum targets, also known as Renewable Portfolio Standards, for overall energy and/or capacity, or for new electricity production. Tax policies of the federal government, including provision in the 2005 budget including CCA rates of 50%, WPPI, RPPI, CRCE, and the Clean Fund ($1 billion over five years to stimulate the reduction of GHG and technology development).

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Association of Power Producers of Ontario

BC Hydro — Acquiring Power

Canada — Nation Focus

Canadian Industrial End-Use Energy Data and Analysis Centre — Renewables Database

Canadian Renewable Energy Network

Clean Air Renewable Energy Coalition

David Suzuki Foundation

The Environmental Choice Program (EcoLogo certification)

Independent Power Producers Association of British Columbia

Independent Power Producers Society of Alberta

Kyoto Protocol

National Hydrogen Association

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Ontario Electricity RFPs

The Pembina Institute

Pollution Probe — Green Power

Renewable Energy Stocks

RETScreen International

Sustainable Development Technology Canada™

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