Canada’s 2x Electrification Strategy: Four Takeaways from our Recent Webinar

Webinar Recap

Just over one month after the release of Canada’s 2x Electrification Strategy, it has been widely welcomed as an important signal of federal commitment to electrification and  electricity growth. But how can it move from vision to action? In a recent webinar, our President Philippe Dunsky spoke with three of our Executive Advisors, Chris O’Riley, Mark Sidebottom and Josée Guibord, to discuss some of the key details about the policies, investments and coordination mechanisms that are needed for success.

1. Interprovincial transmission has moved from aspiration to priority

Despite the challenges, key benefits of interprovincial transmission have long been recognized. Nevertheless, build-out has been slow and uneven, held back by a variety of factors including political will and real challenges related to market integration and cost allocation. The federal strategy signals that priorities are shifting, with interties now recognized as a critical economic and energy security priority for Canada.

Panelists expressed optimism that the federal government can play a strong convening role, helping provinces move beyond conceptual discussions toward practical frameworks for assessing project benefits, allocating costs, and sharing risks.

The economics of interregional transmission can be challenging. Transmission infrastructure often must be built long before demand fully materializes. Federal tools, such as the Clean Investment Tax Credits (ITCs), low-cost financing, contracts for difference, and other mechanisms can help “smooth” project economics, reducing uncertainty and improving the business case.

2. Investors need visibility and long-term certainty

Canada’s resource potential is substantial, but investors need confidence that demand for clean electricity will continue to grow and that rules will not suddenly change.

Several panelists noted that provinces will need to provide a clearer long-term vision for electricity system expansion. Incremental procurements every few years may not be enough to support the scale of investment required.

Policy certainty matters. Investors, developers, and manufacturers need visibility into future procurement opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and federal supports. While the strategy helps establish direction, important questions remain around implementation details, including how key incentives such as investment tax credits will apply to different technologies and asset types.

3. Affordability is bigger than rates

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of viewing affordability through the broader “energy wallet.”

While electrification requires significant infrastructure investment, it also enables substantial efficiency gains. Electric vehicles and heat pumps can reduce overall household energy costs even if electricity consumption increases.

At the same time, panelists emphasized that the costs of the transition cannot be borne solely by electricity ratepayers. Because electrification delivers broader economic, environmental, and societal benefits, governments will likely need to play an ongoing role through tools such as low-cost financing, tax incentives, loan guarantees, and strategic public investment.

The question of cost allocation is complex and will continue to be a key factor in clean infrastructure buildout.

4. Building more supply can’t win it alone

The strategy places significant emphasis on generation and transmission, but panelists stressed that demand-side solutions must also play a central role.

Load flexibility, building retrofits, heat pumps, vehicle-grid integration, and power-efficient design can reduce system costs and defer infrastructure investments. The strategy commits to some major investments in retrofits but does not offer as many details in other demand-side areas. These solutions are often among the most cost-effective ways to support electrification, and panellists agreed that the federal government has an opportunity through the strategy to support adoption. This includes supporting provinces to provide demand-side programs and incentives, and showing leadership in supporting the updating of frameworks, codes and standards that govern the use of efficient technologies. 

Looking Ahead

The webinar reinforced that inherent in Canada’s electrification challenge there are complex coordination, financing and implementation challenges that must be addressed.

As more consultations around the strategy continue, we will look for the critical details that will help determine if Canada can meet its electrification ambitions.

Featured Speakers

Philippe Dunsky

Fmr. Chair, Canada Electricity Advisory Council; Founder & President, Dunsky

Philippe Dunsky brings 30 years of business and policy experience focused on a singular passion: helping clients accelerate and navigate the clean energy transition, effectively, responsibly and at scale. He has the honour of leading a first-rate team of 60 professionals, and the privilege of supporting clients among North America’s climate leaders. As a trusted adviser to both executives and policymakers, Philippe helps organizations chart the course toward decarbonization without losing sight of economic imperatives.

His experience spans the full array of solutions across both energy supply and demand (buildings, mobility and industry). His work is informed by three decades of experience assessing markets, designing policies and programs, conducting techno-economic studies, building regulatory frameworks and defining market strategies. He is regularly called as an expert witness at regulatory proceedings.

Chris O’Riley

Fmr. CEO, BC Hydro; Executive Advisor, Dunsky

Chris recently retired as President and CEO of BC Hydro. Over his 35-year career with the power utility, Chris held diverse executive responsibilities, including oversight of operations, safety, capital projects and Indigenous relations during periods of significant growth.

Chris has had extensive involvement in integrated resource planning, the procurement and contracting of renewables, interregional trade, as well as utility governance and risk management. He also has extensive board experience, including as Chair of Powertech Labs (innovation), Director of Powerex Corp. (trading), and board advisor to Yukon Energy Corp.

Josée Guibord

Fmr. CEO, Evolugen (Brookfield Renewable); Executive Advisor, Dunsky

Josée recently served as the CEO of Evolugen, Brookfield Renewable’s Canadian business. As CEO, she oversaw and advanced the development of renewable energy assets across Canada, including hydroelectric, wind, solar, and battery storage projects. Previously, she served as Evolugen’s Senior Vice President & General Counsel for North American business, among other roles. She has previously served as a board director for several industry associations and charitable organizations, including Electricity Canada and Waterpower Canada. She received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for her contributions to Canada and her community.

Mark Sidebottom

Fmr. Chief Clean Energy Officer, Nova Scotia Power; Executive Advisor, Dunsky

Mark recently retired as Chief Clean Energy Office at Nova Scotia Power (NSP) after 35+ years with the utility and its parent company, Emera.

As Chief Clean Energy Officer at NSP, Mark focused on the transition off coal and reaching Nova Scotia’s 80% renewable electricity by 2030 target.

Mark is the former Chair of the Generation Council of the Electricity Canada, the former Chair of the Board of Directors at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and a Board member of the Atlantica Centre for Energy, amongst other positions.