Electricity Export Applications to U.S.

Summary#

Two companies applied to the Canada Energy Regulator to export large amounts of electricity to the United States. CWP Energy Inc. applied on 3 February 2022 to export up to 5,000,000 MWh per year for 10 years, and DTE Energy Trading, Inc. applied on 28 January 2022 to export up to 10,000,000 MWh per year for 10 years. The regulator is asking for public comments before deciding under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act.

What it does#

• Asks the Canada Energy Regulator to consider export permits for:
  • CWP Energy Inc.: up to 5,000,000 MWh annually for 10 years (application dated 3 February 2022).
  • DTE Energy Trading, Inc.: up to 10,000,000 MWh annually for 10 years (application dated 28 January 2022).
• Invites written public comments and information before any permit is issued or the matter is sent to a licensing process.
• Sets deadlines for participation:
  • Written submissions due by 7 March 2022.
  • Any answers from the applicants to submissions due by 22 March 2022.
• Tells interested people how to get the application documents and where to file comments (applications are on the CER website and can be requested from the applicants).

Who's affected#

• The companies applying: CWP Energy Inc. and DTE Energy Trading, Inc..
• The Canada Energy Regulator, which must decide whether to grant export permits.
• Electricity market participants in Canada, such as utilities, provincial regulators, and companies that have declared an interest in buying electricity for use in Canada.
• Provinces that might be the source of exported electricity, and other provinces the regulator specifically asked about. The public record does not say which province(s) the exports would come from.

Why it matters#

• These applications would allow large annual exports of electricity to the United States if approved. That could affect how much power stays in Canada or crosses provincial lines.
• The regulator is checking whether Canadian buyers have been given fair notice and a chance to buy the power on terms as good as those offered for export.
• This is a consultation step. The decisions could matter to electricity suppliers, buyers, and provincial energy systems — and the public has a short window to comment.