Our plan is to continually take advantage of opportunities to reduce the overall carbon footprint of operations because we know this will have the greatest positive effect on the environment, reduce our overall risk profile and it’s the right thing to do.
Our utilities are located in areas rich with renewable resources including sun, wind and hydroelectric power. This creates opportunity to deliver more renewable energy to our customers - a core strategic initiative for Fortis.
Natural gas also has a significant role to play in the decarbonization of our economy. Compared to coal, electricity produced in modern natural gas-fired generation facilities reduces the greenhouse gas intensity of the electricity produced by approximately 50%.
Our renewable generation including hydroelectricity, solar and biofuel generation has increased by 12% since 2015. Solar generation increased by 42% in that same time frame.
There are great things happening at Fortis utilities as our use of solar and wind is on the rise. Our Caribbean-based utilities are focused on solar energy options. Caribbean Utilities Company has completed an Integrated Resource Plan that supports national policy for a significant increase in renewable energy projects over the next ten years.
FortisTCI commissioned its first decentralized renewable energy solar generation system on a commercial building in 2017 and offers renewable energy programs to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Tucson Electric Power (“TEP”) is leading the shift to a lower-carbon economy. Fast-reacting natural gas generating capacity is needed to support our increased use of solar and wind resources. TEP is installing fuel-efficient natural gas-fired reciprocating engines to replace aging steam units. These highly efficient units lower nitrogen oxide emissions and water use and will help meet customer demand when conditions for wind and solar generation are not favourable.
When we look at the big picture, our plan is to continually take advantage of opportunities to reduce the overall carbon footprint because we know this will have the greatest positive effect on the environment, reduce our overall risk profile and it’s the right thing to do.