Priogen Power electricity export application

Summary#

Priogen Power LLC applied to the Canada Energy Regulator to export electricity from Canada to the United States. The company asked to export up to 2 000 000 MWh per year for 10 years, and the regulator is asking for public comments before deciding. The application is dated May 29, 2020.

What it does#

• Asks the Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator for permission, under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to export a mix of firm and interruptible electricity up to 2 000 000 MWh annually for 10 years.
• Opens a short public process so interested people and groups can submit views before a permit is issued or before the matter goes to a licensing procedure.
• Makes the application available for public inspection at the applicant’s office in West Palm Beach, in the Canada Energy Regulator library in Calgary, and on the Canada Energy Regulator website.
• Sets these deadlines:
  • Submissions from interested parties due by June 29, 2020.
  • The applicant may file answers to those submissions by July 14, 2020.
• Asks commenters specifically about:
  • Any effect the exports would have on provinces other than the one where the electricity would be exported from.
  • Whether potential Canadian buyers were told about the available power and given a fair chance to buy it on similar terms.

Who's affected#

• Electricity market participants such as generators, power marketers and utilities involved in cross‑border trade.
• Canadian buyers and large electricity consumers who might have wanted to buy the same electricity.
• Provincial energy regulators and governments, because exports can change how electricity flows and is priced across provinces.
• The general public, to the extent that export decisions can influence electricity supply or prices.
• The notice does not say which Canadian province the power would be exported from.

Why it matters#

• Large, long‑term electricity exports can shift power flows and affect local supply and prices in Canadian provinces.
• The regulator is checking that Canadian buyers were offered the chance to buy this electricity before it is sent abroad. That matters for fairness and local supply priorities.
• This is an application and public-comment step, not a final permit. The Commission will consider responses before deciding.