Plant-E electricity export application

Summary#

Plant-E Corp. asked the Canada Energy Regulator for permission to export up to 8,760,000 MWh of firm electricity and up to 8,760,000 MWh of interruptible electricity each year for 10 years. The application was filed on 12 December 2022, and the regulator is asking for public views before deciding.

What it does#

• Requests permission under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act to export:
  • up to 8,760,000 MWh of firm energy per year; and
  • up to 8,760,000 MWh of interruptible energy per year,
  • for a period of 10 years.
• Identifies a Canadian facility of interest: Cogen Biogaz HY (Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton, Quebec).
• Asks the public and interested parties for comments on the application before a permit is issued.
• Specifically wants views on:
  • whether the export would affect provinces other than the one the electricity comes from; and
  • whether potential Canadian buyers were informed and given a fair chance to buy the power.
• The application is publicly available on the regulator’s website, and the applicant will provide a copy on request.
• Key deadlines in the notice:
  • comments due by 6 February 2023; and
  • any reply from the applicant due by 21 February 2023.

Who's affected#

• Plant-E Corp. (the company applying).
• Owners or operators of the listed facility, Cogen Biogaz HY.
• Electricity buyers and traders in Canada who might compete for the same supply.
• Provincial governments and regulators, especially Quebec (where the facility is located).
• Grid operators and market participants that manage cross-border flows.
• Local communities near the facility may take an interest, though the notice itself focuses on export and market issues.

Why it matters#

• Large, long-term export permissions can change how much power stays in Canada and how much goes to the United States. That can affect supply decisions and market conditions.
• The regulator is explicitly checking whether Canadian buyers were given a fair chance to buy this electricity. That can matter to businesses, utilities, and provinces that rely on domestic supply.
• This is a consultation step. People and organizations that might be affected have a short window to submit their views before the regulator moves toward a permit or further licensing.