Riovic electricity export application

Summary#

Riovic Services Ltd. applied on 1 October 2020 to the Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator for permission to export up to 12,500 MWh of electricity per year for 10 years to the United States. The Commission is asking for public comments before it decides whether to issue a permit or move the application to a licensing process.

What it does#

• The application seeks authorization to export up to 12,500 MWh (combined firm and interruptible energy) annually for 10 years.
• The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator is inviting views from interested parties before making a decision.
• The Applicant must provide a copy of its application by email to anyone who requests it (info@riovic.ca). The application is also on the CER website.
• Public submissions must be filed online and emailed to the Applicant by 9 November 2020.
• The Commission specifically asks for comments on:
  • the effect of the export on provinces other than the one the electricity would come from; and
  • whether the Applicant informed Canadian buyers who had shown interest, and gave them a fair chance to buy on conditions as favourable as those in the application.
• Any answers from the Applicant to those submissions must be filed and emailed by 24 November 2020.
• Filing help and procedural questions are available from the Commission’s Secretary (phone 403‑292‑4800; email secretary@cer-rec.gc.ca). The Secretary named in the notice is Jean-Denis Charlebois.

Who's affected#

• Riovic Services Ltd., as the company seeking the export permit.
• Utilities, electricity traders and any organizations that buy electricity for use in Canada and who had previously shown interest in buying.
• Provincial energy regulators and grid operators, since the Commission asks about effects on other provinces.
• Members of the public or groups with an interest in cross‑border electricity exports who want to make a submission by the deadlines.

Why it matters#

• The decision could allow a Canadian company to send a fixed amount of electricity to the United States for up to 10 years.
• Public and provincial input can influence whether the permit is granted, and under what conditions.
• If you are a potential Canadian buyer of electricity, a provincial regulator, or otherwise concerned about local supply and market fairness, this is a chance to be heard before a decision is made.