CP Energy electricity export application

Summary#

CP Energy Marketing Inc., on behalf of CP Energy Marketing L.P., asked the Canada Energy Regulator for permission to export up to 2 000 000 MWh of firm electricity and up to 5 000 000 MWh of interruptible electricity each year for 10 years. The regulator published a notice asking for public views before it decides whether to issue a permit or move the file to a licensing process.

What it does#

• Describes an application (dated January 17, 2022) to export electricity from Canada to the United States.
• Seeks authorization for up to 2 000 000 MWh of firm energy annually and up to 5 000 000 MWh of interruptible energy annually, for 10 years.
• Notes the applicant has interests in a number of generation and transmission facilities in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario (specific facilities are listed in the full application).
• Opens a public comment process:
  • Written submissions to the regulator are due by February 21, 2022.
  • Replies from the applicant to those submissions are due by February 28, 2022.
• Says the application is publicly available on the regulator’s website and that the applicant will provide a copy on request.

Who's affected#

• Electricity generators, marketers, and traders, especially those that buy or sell power across the Canada–U.S. border.
• Provincial electricity distributors or buyers who might compete for the same supply.
• Communities and businesses in provinces where the applicant has generation or transmission interests (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario).
• The broader public, to the extent exports could influence local supply or prices. If it’s unclear whether or how specific groups will be affected, the regulator is explicitly asking for views on those impacts.

Why it matters#

• Large, long-term electricity exports can affect how much power stays in Canada and could influence prices or availability for domestic buyers.
• The regulator is asking whether provinces other than the one exporting would be affected and whether Canadian buyers were given a fair chance to buy the power first. Those are the specific issues the public can comment on during the stated deadlines.
• This notice is a request for input on an application, not an approval. The regulator will consider the comments before deciding.