Renewing Relationships for Results: The Canada-U.S. Electricity Partnership

Renewing Relationships for Results:

The Canada-U.S. Electricity Partnership

- By Robin Yee -

Manager, OHS, & former U.S. Affairs Advisor, Canadian Electricity Association

At first glance, it may seem strange to be reading about the Canada-U.S. electricity relationship in a magazine edition focused on Renewal. After all, the highly positive and mutually beneficial electricity trade and integration relationship between the two countries is a long-standing and stable one. The first transmission line between Canada and the U.S. was put in place over 100 years ago! And ever since, the highly integrated Canada-U.S. electricity grid has powered prosperity by delivering a critical service – reliable, affordable, secure, and increasingly clean electricity – to homes and businesses on both sides of the border.

What has made this relationship so successful, though, is in fact renewal. Just like a friendship that lasts beyond just one stage in life, the Canada-U.S. electricity relationship has renewed itself many times over, as we have taken on new challenges and opportunities together – from the creation of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to ensure a more reliable system for customers; to working together through the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC) on challenges that know no borders, such as those posed by cyber threat actors; to providing mutual assistance in times of need, such as the aftermaths of major storms or wildfires. When winter storms hit the U.S. earlier this year, for example, Canadian electricity companies were ready to assist, sending additional power to U.S. communities that needed it most.

And even during COVID-19, the relationship renewed itself yet again as electricity sectors on both sides of the border worked together to take on the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.

Now, as we look beyond COVID-19 to the shared challenges that Canadian and American policy makers will be facing – whether it be economic recovery, tackling climate change, working towards a more socially just society, or ensuring cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable electricity to customers – the Canada-U.S. electricity relationship is evolving to meet these challenges thanks to the strength of our partnership.

For example, we can ensure cleaner, more reliable and more affordable power by pairing clean, baseload and flexible Canadian electricity with variable U.S. wind and solar resources. We can work together on building the infrastructure that will connect clean electricity on both sides of the border to those who need it. We can build a clean energy economy by connecting our efforts on technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and carbon capture and utilization. We can work together on understanding how we can use clean electricity to power other sectors like transportation, and reliably serve a more electrified and digitally connected economy. We can jointly commit to equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives to ensure that every community is included in our collective energy future. Finally, we can keep working together, and with our government partners, ensure that we can do all of this securely – keeping our grid safe in the face of evolving threats.

The electricity sector on both sides of the border is ready for this brighter future. In fact, we are already taking the steps to get there. Where Canadian and U.S. policy makers can help, is by assessing how this relationship can be leveraged to benefit both countries to achieve shared goals, and to avoid unnecessary barriers to progress.

To that end, it was welcome that Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden, on the occasion of their first meeting, showed leadership on these important issues with the announcement of the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership. The Roadmap recognizes the economic and energy security benefits of the bilateral energy relationship and its highly integrated infrastructure, and commits to cooperation on items such as clean electricity transmission, which will form the backbone of our shared economic and climate goals.

For over 100 years, Canada and the U.S. have been the closest allies and partners. By continuing to renew and evolve the positive cross-border electricity relationship, we are poised to shape and power the next century of North American prosperity for all communities.

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“I am pleased that WESCO Canada Utility’s team and competencies will join our Group. This is a unique opportunity for Rexel to accelerate its development in Canada in the attractive and green hydro utility business and to increase its recurring service revenues.”

– Roger Little, Group Executive Committee member and Chief Executive Officer of Rexel Canada