Prince Edward Island: Clean electricity snapshot

Overview of electricity on Prince Edward Island.

Islanders have embraced non-emitting, renewable energy resources like solar panels and wind turbines. But, did you know that there are many financial programs and rebates to help make your home more energy efficient? You can even install your own solar panels to help offset energy costs.

A clean electricity grid can have several benefits

In addition to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, a clean electricity grid can provide several benefits:

• Independent experts from Clean Energy Canada (PDF) forecast that the Atlantic provinces will see 99,000 clean energy jobs added in the Atlantic region between 2025 and 2050^{Footnote 1}, providing both economic growth and new job opportunities as the provinces move towards a net-zero economy.
• The Switch Charlottetown Program notes that on average, installing a heat pump will save homeowners $110/month and a solar system will save $130/month.
• In Summerside, PEI the 21-megawatt (MW) Sunbank solar farm and storage facility will cover 25 per cent of all electricity needed by the city. Once complete, 65 per cent of the community’s electricity will be generated locally.

Electricity generated

As of 2022, PEI had 268 MW of wind installed on its grid.

Economic opportunities

Following the historic investments made in Budget 2023, the Government of Canada has now committed over $40 billion to support the clean electricity sector, including with below-market financing through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, grants and contributions such as the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program, and a new Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit. These investments being made alongside the Clean Electricity Regulations will help drive significant economic opportunities in the province through the construction of new power sources and retrofitting of existing plants.

Clean energy projects bring employment opportunities to the province. The Sunbank Solar Farm brought in 210 full-time jobs to Summerside, a town of around 16,000. Workers can use their knowledge and experience for other clean energy projects in PEI and abroad.

Holland College offers training in renewable technology installation and auditing, as well as wind turbine technology.

Keeping electricity affordable

The Government of Canada is supporting households with their energy switching with home retrofit programs, zero-emission vehicles purchase incentives and more, to help Canadians save on their energy bills.

$40 billion in new Government of Canada measures to meet the growing demand for electricity can minimize future cost impacts being passed down to Islanders.

Islanders that make the switch to a heat pump or an electric/hybrid vehicle come out even further ahead since they will pay less in pollution pricing but still receive the full Climate Action Incentive Payment to help with their energy bills.

Today, an average homeowner who switches from oil to cold-climate heat pumps to heat their homes would save between $1,500 and $4,700 per year on home energy bills.

The Canada Greener Homes Grant program has already helped over 1,300 PEI residents make their homes more energy efficient.

Homeowners can receive rebates to help offset the cost of installing energy efficient heating pumps and devices through the province’s Energy Efficient Equipment Rebates program.

Through the province’s Residential Home Heating Loan program, homeowners can also receive loans to upgrade their current heating system to a cleaner, more efficient heat source like a heat pump or solar hot water heat.

Landlords can apply to the province’s Residential Rental Efficiency Rebates program and receive rebates to make their rental units more energy efficient.

Low-income households can apply for a free heat pump through the Government of PEI.

The province’s Solar Electric Rebate Program helps make solar panels more affordable for residents, farmers, and businesses. Solar panels can lower energy bills and provide clean electricity.

Recent announcements

In Budget 2023, the Government of Canada is proposing significant investments to accelerate the supply and transmission of clean electricity. We will expand Canada’s electricity grid, connect it from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and ensure that Atlantic Canadians and their businesses have access to cleaner and cheaper energy into the next century.