SNC-Lavalin blueprint says net zero by 2050 for Canada a monumental but achievable objective needs urgent all-in commitment

• The company’s Engineering Net Zero (Canada) report offers a blueprint for Canada to make its target of zero emissions by 2050 a reality.
• The 2050 target requires immediate, concerted action and investment to be achievable. 
• Canada needs to triple its power production levels over the next 30 years; third party forecasts in report show demand growing from 500 TWh to 1,500 TWh. 
• Investment in engineering solutions are needed in every area of low carbon energy production – hydro, nuclear, renewables, carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.
• Power grid reliability, resiliency and effectiveness through interprovincial ties is key to effectively support electrification of other economic sectors.

MONTREAL: March 11, 2021 - SNC-Lavalin has focused its attention on the objective to transition the Canadian economy towards a net zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions target by 2050. The report, Engineering Net Zero (Canada), provides carefully thought-out analysis and directions from thought leaders and subject matter experts inside the company. The made-in-Canada solution supports jobs, growth and a more modern economy, powered by clean energy. 

The report examines the blueprint for Canada to achieve the net zero carbon target by 2050. It brings into perspective the challenges and potential solutions across economic sectors. SNC-Lavalin’s first-hand experience in projects across sectors like energy, agriculture, transportation, oil and gas, buildings, industrial, waste and water treatment provides an advantageous viewpoint on the interdependencies at play. 

Recommendations from the report include: 

1. East-west interconnected grid: Establish a federal-provincial committee for the Canadian electrical grid to enable greater reliability, resiliency, and efficiency through inter-provincial ties. This could pave the way for an east-west interconnected grid, that would help balance operations, enable more renewable integration, and effectively support electrification of other economic sectors. 
    
2. Early build projects should be initiated for energy sources such as hydro and nuclear, where a single plant easily takes more than 10 years to develop. Other renewable resources, such as wind and solar, should be developed quickly to meet load increases. Emerging renewable technologies have also shown significant promise, including offshore wind, tidal, and wave power generation.
   
   
3. Carbon capture: Expedite and fund pilot carbon capture and storage projects as quickly as possible, which are the key to eliminating the balance of GHG emissions from energy intensive processes. 
   
   
4. Hydrogen fuel: Accelerate current hydrogen (and other alternative fuels) research programs, with a minimum number of demonstration projects. 
   
   
5. Consult industry in the development of the net zero 2050 plan, to ensure concrete, measurable and coordinated efforts are put in place, and to maximize the ROI for Canadians, both from a financial and environmental impact perspective. 

“To achieve this monumental task, Canadian policy makers and industry need to urgently resolve a number of technical, commercial and collaborative challenges associated with decarbonizing the economy,” said Dale Clarke, President, Infrastructure Services, SNC-Lavalin. “Jobs and growth will be spurred from the massive investments needed in existing, emerging and disruptive technologies. Cooperation and collaboration between governments at all levels, with input from the private sector, indigenous community and other stakeholders, will be essential. The ambitious 2050 target can effectively position Canada as a global leader in low-emission technologies and practices across all economic sectors. As a supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SNC-Lavalin is committed to supporting the engineering of zero GHG-emitting solutions both here in Canada and globally.”

“SNC-Lavalin has created the blueprint through the Engineering Net Zero report and doing nothing is not an option,” said Sandy Taylor, President, Nuclear, SNC-Lavalin. “Immediate, effective and concerted action is required at all levels of society, industry, and government. Canadians can rise to the challenge, and that’s why SNC-Lavalin brought together its subject matter experts to offer analysis and guidance. Every aspect of our lives will be impacted, from travel, heating homes, and ensuring food and health security, to the ways we generate our power, operate industrial processes, and unlock our natural resources in this revolution.”

Link to the full report and executive summary: 

https://www.snclavalin.com/~/media/Files/a/atkinsrealis/download-centre/en/report/canada_enz-executive-summary_en.pdf
https://www.snclavalin.com/~/media/Files/a/atkinsrealis/download-centre/en/report/canada_enz-technical-report_en.pdf 
For related charts/graphics for media use: https://www.snclavalin.com/en/media/images-and-videos/images 
Engineering Net Zero website: https://www.engineeringnetzero.com/

Additional notes:

The report, which follows a similar one addressing challenges in the UK, brings SNC-Lavalin’s global experience of delivering the world’s largest, most complex infrastructure projects to bear on this most critical of technical challenges –to avert the most devastating implications of climate change. 

About SNC-Lavalin

Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is a fully integrated professional services and project management company with offices around the world. SNC-Lavalin connects people, technology and data to help shape and deliver world-leading concepts and projects, while offering comprehensive innovative solutions across the asset lifecycle. Our expertise is wide-ranging — consulting & advisory, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and sustaining capital – and delivered to clients in four strategic sectors: EDPM (engineering, design and project management), Infrastructure, Nuclear and Resources, supported by Capital. People. Drive. Results. News and information are available at www.snclavalin.com or follow us on Twitter @SNCLavalin