Hydropower to Fight Global Warming

OTTAWA -- -

OTTAWA -- Hydropower can play a key role in helping Canada meet its international commitments in reducing the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, according to the Canadian Hydropower Association. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which contribute to air pollution, urban smog, and acid rain, are also seen as the cause of global warming. The burning of fossil fuels such as gas, coal and petrol is the main source of GHG emissions around the world, and three sectors-transportation, industry and electricity-generation-produce most of these GHGs. For example, the burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity is responsible for 17% of GHG emissions in Canada and approximately 40% in the United States. At an international conference in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, Canada committed to reducing GHG emissions by 6% below 1990 levels by the years 2008-2012, while the United States agreed to reduce their emissions by 7%. However, emissions have continued to increase significantly since 1990; hence, Canada and the United States must significantly increase their reductions if they are to meet the Kyoto objectives. Given the heavy use of electricity in our society, decreasing our dependence on carbon-intensive fossil fuels for our energy supply is essential to reducing GHG emissions. This could be done, for example, by replacing fossil-fuel generated electricity with clean, renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, and hydropower. Renewable technologies like solar and wind power are still relatively expensive, cannot provide large amounts of electricity, and, because they are intermittent sources, are dependent on other energy sources. Hydropower, on the other hand, is competitively-priced and can meet increasing electricity demand. Moreover, hydropower produces very few GHGs, 60% less than coal-fired power plants and 18% less than natural gas power plants. Exporting hydropower to the United States also reduces GHG emissions by displacing electricity that would have been generated using fossil fuels. Hydro-Quebec, Manitoba Hydro and BC Hydro, three of the largest producers of hydropower in Canada, have contributed to reducing GHG emissions in the U.S. by hundreds of millions of tons over the past 20 years. Hydropower is presently the only renewable source of energy that can replace fossil-fuel electricity production while satisfying growing energy needs. Hydropower production can be increased either by reconditioning existing facilities or by developing new sites. Canada offers many opportunities for new hydropower projects that could be developed with respect for the environment and within a context of sustainable development. And while it may take several years to construct large projects such as Ste-Marguerite-3 in Quebec or Churchill Falls in Labrador, run-of-river projects can be developed fairly rapidly. By replacing forms of energy that cause high levels of GHG emissions, hydropower can contribute to the reduction of air pollution, smog, acid rain, and global warming. The continued and increased use of hydropower can help us meet the Kyoto objectives. Founded in 1998, the Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA) is the national association dedicated to representing the interests of the hydropower industry. Its principal mandate is to promote hydropower nationally and internationally as a source of renewable and sustainable energy, to make the economic and environmental advantages of hydropower better known and to publicize the benefits of hydropower. CONTACT:

For further information: Pierre FortinExecutive Director Tel: (613) 751-6655 URL: www.canhydropower.org