Gas opportunities for Atlantic Canada /

G A S. O P P O R T U N I T I E S. F O R. A T L A N T I C. C A N A D A ATLANTIC INSTITUTE FOR MARKET STUDIES Policy Paper Gas Opportunities for Atlantic Canada Andrew Pickford Halifax, Nova Scotia February 2016 © 2 0 1 6. A T L A N T I C. I N S T I T U T E. F O R. M A R K E T. S T U D I E S 1 G A S. O P P O R T U N I T I E S. F O R. A T L A N T I C. C A N A D A The Atlantic Institute for Market Stu [...] Accordingly, those wishing to immediately convert to 100 per cent renewable electricity need to argue the merits of such a change, including its effect on the poorest members of the community and its © 2 0 1 6. A T L A N T I C. I N S T I T U T E. F O R. M A R K E T. S T U D I E S 6 G A S. O P P O R T U N I T I E S. F O R. A T L A N T I C. C A N A D A technical feasibility. [...] However, such opportunities can only occur if there is smart and effective government regulation of © 2 0 1 6. A T L A N T I C. I N S T I T U T E. F O R. M A R K E T. S T U D I E S 8 G A S. O P P O R T U N I T I E S. F O R. A T L A N T I C. C A N A D A the industry as well as the utilization of all natural gas deposits. [...] As more wind generation is incorporated into the grid, the demands on gas may increase, further exposing the electricity sector to the vagaries of the wind and the variances in the market price of natural gas. [...] Both have a small, dispersed population; major offshore oil and gas projects; a need to transport electricity and gas a long way to reach consumers; and a generation mix that © 2 0 1 6. A T L A N T I C. I N S T I T U T E. F O R. M A R K E T. S T U D I E S 19 G A S. O P P O R T U N I T I E S. F O R. A T L A N T I C. C A N A D A exposes electricity consumers to the fluctuations in global gas markets