Ottawa’s government will invest $100 million from the federal budget to ensure clean energy projects’ development. More than 1,700 groups will benefit from this action.
The Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN), with a membership of more than 1,700 clean energy companies and groups, will receive a $100 million budget.
With this action, Canada’s government looks to develop clean energy research to reduce the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2033.
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In that sense, the budget will help the group to develop research projects that can provide a GHG decreasing trend by 100 megatons, equivalent of taking off the road 1.5 million fossil fuel vehicles.
The funding will last four years, and Ottawa’s administration expects it to accelerate the use of clean technologies as they reduce the oil and gas industry’s environmental impact.
Projects’ characteristics
CRIN is a consortium created in 2017 that has the membership of companies, not-for-profit organizations-agencies and government departments, researchers, universities, academic institutions, and development groups.
In that regard, at least half the funding will go to small and medium-sized companies.
Besides, a requirement for the CRIN’s applications is to focus on seven key areas related to long-term ecosystem growth, enhancement, and sustainability.
Moreover, funded projects should develop the future’s workforce and generate highly skilled jobs through skills training and work-integrated learning.
In the words of an Ottawa government spokesperson, “this is part of building a truly sustainable energy ecosystem.”
How will the funding work?
From the total $100 million budget, the government already assigned $80 million to three technology projects ready to compete in clean energy forums.
According to CRIN people, these projects complied with clear paths to commercialization requirements since they are aimed “at creating alternative value-added products, reducing environmental footprints and exploring new digital solutions for the oil patch.”
For instance, one of the projects proposes to generate carbon fibers for stronger cement and lighter car bodies, rather than using bitumen combustion. Another project looks to convert GHG to soaps and hand sanitizers.
Thus, Ottawa’s government will assign the other $20 million to ecosystem development programs and administration and management measures.
CRIN will track and report the effectiveness of this program over the next years annually. Also, the network is required to provide follow-up reports until 2035.
This four-year budgetary plan will contribute to Canada’s plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Ottawa at the forefront?
Other Canadian provinces have implemented clean energies actions as well.
In Alberta, for instance, the provincial government decided this year to halt monthly oil production by December. Nevertheless, the province will extend the regulatory measure through December 2021 since the administration looks to help local companies transition.
Possibly of your interest: Alberta to end oil production curbs in December
It is important to note that Ottawa’s recent measure received criticisms from various environmental groups like Greenpeace.
The organization condemned the funding since this works as a subsidy for the oil and gas industry. In that sense, the group recommended to spend the money on thoroughly clean energy projects and not on transitioning programs for the oil and gas sector.
