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GLOBAL RENEWABLES ONLINE - JANUARY 2012
beyond conventional energy sources
are limited. Renewables is a small
minority, and this is reflective of its
presence in our energy mix.
However, the Council pursues
specific initiatives in renewables
and our job is to engage member
companies in the discussion around
renewables in Canada—we want
them to jump into the flow of energy
discussions and activities.
GRO: What does the energy company of
the future look like? It seems as though
traditional energy companies are
breaking into the renewables arena, it is
an interesting dichotomy.
GS: The industrial sector is
telling us that there is a growing
market for a variety of types of
energy production, conventional
and non-conventional. The private
sector approach is to excel in a
particular
area
of
energy
production, but then move into other
types of energy product and make
moves to take advantage of those
activities. In the 20-30 year window
that we consider as the planning
stage for energy, you’re going to see
that the notion that an energy
company is limited to a single form
or source of energy isn’t how they
will develop. The focus is on the word
energy.
We are looking at a stable range
of energy sources and alternatives
In terms of renewable energy,
Canada is learning from other
countries to broaden its expertise.
The best example of this is in wind.
Wind technology has developed
quite significantly outside Canada
and companies who are interested
in wind see Canada as a
marketplace. That’s not to say how-
ever that we don’t have some of the
best wind technology companies
anywhere.
People have their eyes on Canada
for investment in renewables—to
move in to fill that vacuum in
renewables. What that tells me is
that there is an opportunity for
Canadian research and develop-
ment in renewables. Geothermal
energy development in Canada is a
perfect example. Canada could
develop its own expertise in areas
like geothermal, but enough interest
has to be there.
Because of our population, our
R&D capacity, and the limited
renewable focus in our industrial
sector, opportunities when you move
COVER STORY - ENERGY COUNCIL OF CANADA