Alberta energy grid data shows that wind and solar power production fell sharply to a mere 29 megawatts in the early hours of Monday, or less than 1% of their total energy capacity.
As reported by the outlet Pipeline Online, the Alberta Electric System Operator’s minute-by-minute data on energy generation output shows how less than an hour past midnight wind power tanked to 29 MW while solar produced 0 MW.
Alberta wind farms have the ability to produce 3,618 megawatts at capacity – meaning that less than 0.8% of that limit was achieved.
Similarly, in February, wind power in Alberta tanked to an average between 11 and 20 megawatts, or 0.3% of their capacity due to extreme cold weather. Wind turbines automatically shut off when the weather gets too cold.
“At this point, the business case behind using solar and wind power is often very weak because these two sources of power are often unreliable – the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow,” president of SecondStreet.org Colin Craig told True North.
Saskatchewan’s energy regulator SaskPower is currently seeking to expand the province’s renewable energy capacity by 3,000 MW in solar and wind projects.
According to Craig, the province should look into having closer ties with its neighbour Manitoba which has a plentiful source of hydroelectric power.
“If the Saskatchewan government’ is looking at solar and wind power to reduce emissions, then building more ties with Manitoba might make sense as the latter has access to relatively clean hydro power,” said Craig.
“Alternatively, small modular nuclear reactors are another exciting clean energy source that’s coming on stream. Perhaps there are ways the Sask government could cut red tape to help speed development of the latter up?”
