The Climate Leadership Plan in Alberta aims to terminate coal generation and increase the share of renewable energy to 30% by 2030. To meet the new renewable targets and cover the void left by coal, significant new capacity buildout is expected in the coming years. New research from the 2060 Project studies the opportunity of converting coal plants to biomass to operate past the 2030 deadline. This measure could not only allow stranded coal generators to extend their lifetime, but also lower new capacity buildout requirements in the province.
According to our simulation results, the province may reach its 2030 renewable energy goals at lower cost by using bioenergy. Converting two stranded coal units to biomass would reduce incentive payments to renewable generators by $ 600 M by 2030 and forgo $ 2.6 B in new capacity buildout by 2030.
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