Coal-fired power generation is ending in Alberta

 

Alberta's coal-fired power generation is coming to an end. The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) announced on February 2 that the province's remaining coal-fired plants near Edmonton pulled zero power from the electric grid. Capital Power says work to convert the Genesee One and Two units to natural gas will be completed by the end of the year.

In 2023, pure gas generation accounted for 69 percent of Alberta's total electricity. Renewables outpaced coal by 16.5 percent for the second consecutive year. Coal power generation was 12.2 percent. In 2016, 18 coal-fired plants helped power the electric grid in Alberta. Coal and dual-fired plants accounted for 44 percent of the province's net-to-grid generation in 2019.