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NEB report says future energy supply ample and will challenge Canadians to make smart energy choices

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07/38
For immediate release
15 November 2007

NEB report says future energy supply ample and will challenge Canadians to make smart energy choices

CALGARY - Canadians will have choices to make concerning how they use energy but energy supply is not in question says the latest report from the National Energy Board.

Canada’s Energy Future looks at energy supply and demand from a Reference Case and three scenario perspectives between 2005 and 2030. Across all scenarios, energy demand continues to increase but there will be enough supply to meet the growing need.

"Canadians will face a different energy environment in the next 25 years than in previous years,"says NEB Chair Gaétan Caron. "Fortunately, Canada has the gift of abundant natural resources and Canadians have the opportunity to make important choices and shape our energy future."

While the report says that emerging technologies and alternative energy sources are growing fast, they continue to fulfill a small portion of the total energy demand requirements. For example, emerging and alternative energy, such as wind, solar, geothermal and biofuels (biomass, ethanol and biodiesel) in the "greenest" scenario account for 10 per cent of the total energy demand in Canada in 2030. Conventional energy will continue to be the number one fuel source for Canadians.

"Decisions taken today by every Canadian will over time go a long way towards creating a sustainable future," says Caron.

Other highlights of the report include:

Significant growth in the oil sands is expected and will come with an increase in pipeline infrastructure and markets.
In two of the three scenarios, natural gas production and exports decline.
Electricity exchanges between provinces and exports to the U.S. will increase.
Controlling greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use will be challenging.

Canada’s Energy Future carries on a long tradition dating back to 1967 of the NEB providing Canadians with information on the future of energy in Canada. The last NEB report focusing on the issues was released in the summer of 2003.

The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to promote safety and security, environmental protection, and efficient energy infrastructure and markets in the Canadian public interest, within the mandate set by Parliament in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade. As part of its mandate, the NEB monitors the supply of all energy commodities in Canada and reports its findings. The NEB Internet site is regularly updated with new energy information for the Canadian public.

Kristen Higgins (kristen.higgins@neb-one.gc.ca)
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
Telephone: 403-299-3122
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Telecopier: 403-292-5503
Telecopier (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663

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NEB report says future energy supply ample and will challenge Canadians to make smart energy choices