SNC-Lavalin releases net zero blueprint

MONTREAL — SNC-Lavalin has released a new report titled Engineering Net Zero (Canada), intended to provide analysis on the objective of transitioning the Canadian economy towards a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target by 2050.

A recent release explained that SNC-Lavalin’s experience in projects across sectors such as 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:

• 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. 
• Early build projects should be initiated for energy sources such as hydro and nuclear, where a single plant generally 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.
• Carbon capture: Expedite and fund pilot carbon capture and storage projects as quickly as possible, as they are the key to eliminating the balance of GHG emissions from energy intensive processes.
• Hydrogen fuel: Accelerate current hydrogen (and other alternative fuels) research programs, with a minimum number of demonstration projects.
• Consult industry in the development of the net zero 2050 plan, to ensure concrete, measurable and co-ordinated 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 of infrastructure services for SNC-Lavalin, in a statement. “Jobs and growth will be spurred from the massive investments needed in existing, emerging and disruptive technologies. Co-operation and collaboration between governments at all levels, with input from the private sector, Indigenous community and other stakeholders, will be essential.”