canadian electricity association

What’s the least expensive and most environmentally effective way of making sure that electricity is reliable and secure?

The short answer is: energy efficiency.

So what does the term energy efficiency really mean?

It means using less energy to power our daily lives. It means managing our electricity consumption more effectively. It means using what has already been produced as efficiently as possible.

Energy efficiency can result in many benefits for electricity consumers – both immediately and into the future.

Investment in energy efficiency yields cumulative and lasting energy and cost savings. The more energy efficient you are, the lower your monthly electricity bill will be.

In addition to contributing to the bottom line of household budgets, energy efficiency increases the competitiveness of business and industry by reducing energy overhead and input costs.

Research done by the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) has shown that the vast majority of consumers expect their electric utility to provide energy efficiency programs and information. In tough economic times, customers continue to look to their electric utility to help them manage their electricity consumption and their bills.

Canadian electric utilities have been delivering energy efficiency programs for over two decades. Since 1990, CEA member energy distribution companies have invested $3 billion in energy efficiency programs, saving enough electricity to power Canada's 683 hospitals for two years. These energy efficiency programs have also resulted in avoiding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5.6 mega tonnes of CO₂ equivalent across Canada. To put this in perspective, this is comparable to taking one million vehicles off the road.

There are even more benefits that energy efficiency delivers to Canadians: reduced energy expenditures; employment opportunities; increased economic competitiveness; improved energy security; and a cleaner environment through the reduction of GHG and air emissions across Canada.

Energy efficiency is sustainable. It can be a more cost effective means to meeting electricity demand than traditional or renewable supply options.

As you know, governments play a crucial role in creating policy, implementing product regulation, developing industry standards and building codes, and providing incentives to help manage demand. It is critical that we encourage governments to support energy efficiency. There is currently a large and untapped reservoir of energy efficiency potential in Canada.

Here are some measures that governments can take to ensure Canadians get the most from energy efficiency:
 

Canada’s current electricity infrastructure is aging, and needs to be renewed now and over the next several decades. Even with efficiency gains, it will still be necessary to build new facilities to meet increasing electricity demands and to replace aging facilities. Investing in energy efficiency presents the option to build fewer new facilities.

Increased energy efficiency is a major strategic objective of the electricity sector, and it is imperative for Canada’s future prosperity.

For more information on energy efficiency programs, grants and incentives in your province, check your local electricity service provider’s website, or visit the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada online at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/1513.