Канада выстраивает стратегию энергетической безопасности на основе трёх ключевых столпов

Beyond supply: A more resilient approach to Canada’s energy security Sponsored Content By CSA Group An abundance of natural resources positions Canada among the top global energy producers. Energy is also a major economic driver, generating almost 10% of Canada’s GDP and one-third of all goods exports1. While these strengths provide Canada with an important advantage, rising energy demand, aging infrastructure, supply chain disruptions, climate impacts, cybersecurity threats, and workforce shortages are placing new pressures on the systems that deliver energy to Canadians. Is Canada prepared to respond? Three pillars of energy security Energy security has wide-reaching implications. A secure energy system generates wealth, prosperity, and safety for Canadians and our global allies. When under threat, it can undermine public safety, economic growth, and societal well-being. Energy security in today’s rapidly evolving energy and geopolitical landscape needs to encompass the full spectrum of energy sources and the entire energy value chain, from production, transmission, and distribution to storage and end use. It is built on three interconnected pillars: - Availability—ensuring ample energy is available to meet demand - Reliability—delivering energy safely and consistently, whenever and wherever it is needed - Resilience—enabling energy systems to anticipate, withstand, adapt to, and recover from disruptions Together, these pillars recognize that a secure energy system depends not only on how much energy Canada produces, but also on how effectively it can deliver that energy under changing operating conditions. A changing landscape is marked by new challenges and more complex risks As the energy security landscape broadens, the factors that shape it also expand—well beyond traditional concerns about energy supply. Trade disputes and global economic volatility can increase the cost of energy infrastructure projects and impact global energy prices, and the domestic economy. Geopolitical tensions have unexpected impacts on energy markets and domestic production due to integrated supply chains and economic interdependence. Extreme weather events present another growing challenge. More frequent wildfires, flooding, severe storms, heat, and cold can damage transmission and distribution infrastructure, interrupt electricity generation, and delay restoration efforts. Renewable energy systems are not immune to these impacts. Extended droughts can reduce hydroelectric generation, while hail, ice, and high winds can affect solar and wind facilities. Rapid technological changes present both opportunities and new vulnerabilities. Distributed energy resources, battery energy storage, hydrogen, and small modular reactors can enhance energy system flexibility and reliability. At the same time, digitalization of the energy sector can open new cybersecurity risks and increase its reliance on critical minerals. Rising electricity demand, driven in part by electrification of transportation, industrial decarbonization, artificial intelligence, and data centers, is increasing pressure on generation and transmission systems. Yet planning for the growth remains challenging as the adoption rates of these technologies are difficult to forecast Infrastructure planning is equally critical. Reliable energy systems require continuous maintenance, modernization, and expansion of energy infrastructure and telecommunication systems. These challenges are particularly acute in remote Northern and Indigenous communities that remain isolated from the main electricity grid and rely heavily on diesel generation. Labour and skills shortages are becoming critical as Canada’s workforce ages. This is a reality not only in the energy sector but also in critical supporting sectors such as transportation, construction, and cybersecurity. As energy technologies evolve, the ability to rapidly train and upskill workers has also become an important component of long-term energy security. Better coordination and alignment are essential Responding effectively to these challenges will require Canada to address the main structural barriers that limit coordinated energy planning and policy: - Distributed governance across government departments Currently, energy security in Canada is a responsibility shared across numerous government departments. This can contribute to inefficiencies, competing objectives, and slower decision-making. Developing a national definition of energy security, a federal energy security policy, and establishing an interdepartmental committee to enable energy security collaboration can help provide the clarity, focus, and alignment needed to achieve shared energy security objectives. - Distributed governance across jurisdictions Canada’s division of power and other constitutional obligations, including Indigenous rights and interests, can make energy security planning more complex. Integrating provincial electricity grid plans into a national one, strengthening alignment on regulations for emerging technologies, and developing region- and resource-specific committees to address energy security gaps can help better align efforts across Canadian jurisdictions. - Market and infrastructure fragmentation With differences in energy systems and policies among provinces and territories, there is less incentive for co-operation and infrastructure development is less efficient. Strengthening interprovincial grid interties, as well as infrastructure and technology interoperability, can result in more collaborative regional initiatives that support national interconnection over self-sufficiency of individual provinces. - Conflicts between short- and long-term planning A focus on immediate expansion of energy availability can risk diverting capital from long-term infrastructure planning, impacting future resilience and reliability needs. Developing multi-jurisdictional energy strategies that promote transformative changes leading to energy security progress and committing funding to support the adoption of new energy technologies can help reduce conflicts between short- and long-term planning. Standards provide a shared foundation for energy security Canada has the resources, expertise, and technologies needed to build a secure energy future. A coordinated framework can help turn these strengths into an energy system that remains reliable and resilient as risks and demands evolve. Supported by a shared national definition, clear responsibilities across governments, aligned infrastructure planning, and long-term commitments, such a framework can connect energy security with Canada’s other priorities, including economic competitiveness, public safety, and long-term prosperity. Standards can provide the technical foundation for this work, connecting policy objectives with consistent practices across technologies, energy value chains, and jurisdictions while promoting safety, reliability, and innovation. Maximizing the use of standards can further drive interoperability and reduce fragmentation, contributing to faster infrastructure delivery and measurable resilience outcomes. Read the report “A Renewed Approach to Energy Security in Canada” from the CSA Public Policy Centre to explore practical policy directions and how standards can help support a more secure energy future for Canada. [1] Source: Energy Fact Book, 2025-2026 Edition. (2025). Canadian Centre for Energy Information, Natural Resources Canada. https://energy-information.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2025-11/energy-fact-book-2025-2026.pdf