The Renewable Energy promotes the development of a sustainable renewable energy industry in Canada. The division promotes investments in renewable energy systems for heating and cooling and provides information on renewable energy technologies. It also provides analysis and advice to the Minister on electricity issues in Canada. By strengthening markets for the renewable energy industry, the programs will contribute to greenhouse gas reductions, as well as job creation and export sales.

Renewable energy sources are those that produce electricity or thermal energy without depleting resources. Renewable energy includes solar, wind, biomass, low-impact hydro, geothermal and ocean energy.

Initiatives from government and other associations

• Renewable and Electrical Energy Division of Canada

• Prime Minister of Canada

• U.S. Environment Protention Agency

Renewable energy sources

Renewable energy is energy derived from sources that are being replaced by nature, such as water, wind, solar, biomass or geothermal. Renewable sources will always be available (within the limits set by nature’s capacity to replenish them) and are essentially non-polluting if applied correctly.

Key renewable energy sources

Hydro Power ranges from hydro-electric power stations, to tidal power and wave power.

Wind power is becoming increasingly popular and production costs are dropping rapidly, making it increasingly competitive to fossil power production.

Solar power is now 90% cheaper than it was in the 1970s. Houses with solar roofs can generate more electricity than is needed at certain times in the day, and sell this back to local electricity companies.

Biomass energy is the term used to describe the generation of energy from organic sources. The energy stored in plants can be captured for energy generation by several different methods such as decomposition, combustion or gasification.

Geothermal energy involves using the earth's heat to supply power. Geothermal heat pumps can be used nearly anywhere.