Our commitment
As EPCOR has grown, so has our commitment to developing power from renewable and recyclable energy sources. Today, about 35% of the power generation capacity we operate comes from renewable or recycled energy. These include wind, small hydro, biomass, landfill gas, recycled waste heat and combined heat and power.
In British Columbia, where we operate over 160 MW of renewable energy from small hydro projects, and one of North America’s largest biomass facilities, we are among the province’s most experienced independent power producers. EPCOR has also been quick to harness the potential of the wind. We are at the forefront in Ontario, where our Kingsbridge Wind Power Project will generate enough electricity to power more than 12,500 homes.
The EPCOR Power L.P. plants are North American leaders in recycling waste heat and fuel produced by industrial and electric generation processes, such as steel production and petroleum refining.
Renewable and recyclable energy
To find out more about EPCOR's investments in recyclable and renewable energy, click below:
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Our power options
Carbon dioxide is a by-product of burning fossil fuels to produce electricity. Most electricity produced in Canada comes from fossil fuels, large hydroelectric facilities, and nuclear power. High-impact hydropower has been known to alter natural river flows, affect water quality and negatively alter fish migration. Nuclear power presents a waste disposal problem. Are these our only power options?
Clover Bar Landfill Gas Generating Station
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No. Renewable energy is generated from sources that are easily or steadily regenerated such as wind and solar power. Not all renewable energy sources are free of greenhouse gas emissions and they all have some environmental impact. These emissions and impacts, however, are much less than those of conventional or non-renewable energy sources. For example, the burning of biomass contributes greenhouse gases to the atmosphere but, the most important greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, can be returned to the plant cycle when the biomass is replanted.
At this time, most renewable energy technologies are more expensive than conventional energy but costs are dropping due to improvements in technology and market demand. Generating equipment such as photovoltaic panels are expensive because manufacturing is done on a much smaller scale than for non-renewable energy. Renewable energy generating stations such as biomass and biogas, must be located close to the source of fuel to increase efficiency and reduce costs. This affects the widespread applicability of renewable energy. Despite the financial barriers to large-scale renewable energy, integration of renewable energy into the standard power mix is growing every day.
EPCOR conducts research into new projects on a regular basis in an effort to diversify our renewable energy portfolio.