Moving interprovincial transmission from ambition to action
Background: Brian Bartholomew, OpenGridWorks
Our Focus: Expanding Interprovincial Electricity Transmission in Western Canada
The Western Transmission Catalysts (WTC) is a multi-year collaborative initiative launched by the Indigenous Power Coalition, uniting leading organizations across academia, Indigenous Nations, the electric industry, and civil society. Our mission is clearing the path and overcoming the hurdles to expanding interprovincial transmission in Western Canada.
We’re Tackling Yesterday’s Challenges to Build Tomorrow’s Electricity System
It’s No Longer About “If”, But “How”
Interprovincial electricity connections (i.e. interties) aren’t a new idea, however siloed provincial electricity mandates and markets have historically positioned provinces as competitors, not collaborators. There was little incentive to overcome the real hurdles of connectivity.
Today, the stakes have changed. The global shift to electrification, rapidly rising electricity demand, and increased geopolitical uncertainty has made modernizing Canada’s electricity system a national priority.
There has never been greater ambition to build out grid connections than there is right now. Every Canadian government understands the imperative to collaborate on this critical infrastructure.
Canada Needs an Interconnected Grid
Canada’s competitiveness and national energy sovereignty depend on stronger grid connectivity across provinces and territories. An interconnected grid means greater resilience as electricity systems become capable of leaning on one another in times of need; it means lower costs as systems take advantage of complementary resources; and it means integrating more clean energy across broader regions. For Canadians, this means more affordable and reliable electricity that unlocks economic development and positions industries to thrive in an increasingly electrified global economy.
Harnessing Today’s Momentum to Get Real Infrastructure Built
The ultimate aim of WTC’s work is to get shovels moving on projects that will create the strong, secure interconnected electricity system Canada needs. That’s why we’re implementing new approaches that directly tackle the past challenges of getting interprovincial transmission built.
An Initiative of the Indigenous Power Coalition
Interprovincial transmission in Western Canada represents a generational opportunity for Indigenous Nations. However, for too long, Nations have been treated as afterthoughts or obstacles in development projects. This approach not only falls short of upholding Canada’s commitment to Indigenous rights, it also creates social license risk, missed opportunities for economic reconciliation, and projects that take longer and cost more than they should.
The Indigenous Power Coalition was founded to flip that script, so that future projects are built not only with Indigenous ownership, but under Indigenous direction and authority. But centering Indigenous leadership is only part of the solution. Indigenous Power Coalition launched the Western Transmission Catalysts to address historic obstacles and clear the path for an interconnected grid that creates opportunities for Nations, as well as Canada’s economic, energy, and climate goals.