Good news continues to flow from the green energy sector abroad and here in Canada. The Guardian reports that a record amount of solar energy was added to global grids in 2014, continuing massive industry growth since 2000. In fact, there was 100 times more solar capacity in 2014 than there was just 14 years earlier. Greenpeace predicts that the United Kingdom could produce 85% of its energy requirements from renewables by 2030.
In Canada, clean energy investments are increasing in spite of the lack of support from Ottawa, with the provinces and municipalities taking the lead. Provinces like Ontario, Quebec and BC have made ambitious commitments to reducing GHG emissions, partially through investments in low carbon energy. Meanwhile, cities like Vancouver, BC and Devon, AB (which finds itself in the heart of the Alberta oil patch) are pledging to go 100% renewable. According to a report from Clean Energy Canada, clean energy investment in Canada totalled nearly $11 billion in 2014, an 88 per cent increase over 2013. That said, the report highlights that we could do better if Ottawa played a stronger role.