Ottawa to Unveil Major Funding for Canada's Green Electricity Grid

CALGARY, AB – January 09, 2026 – The federal government is poised to announce a significant new investment in Canada's energy future next week, with a focus on making the nation's electricity supply cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient. On Monday, January 12, Parliamentary Secretary Corey Hogan is scheduled to detail the new funding in Calgary, a move that signals Ottawa's continued commitment to modernizing the country's critical energy infrastructure amid mounting pressures from climate change and rising electricity demand.

The announcement, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, comes at a pivotal moment for Canada. The nation is grappling with the dual challenge of meeting ambitious climate targets, including achieving a net-zero economy by 2050, while ensuring a stable and cost-effective power supply for its citizens and industries. This new initiative is expected to address these challenges head-on, targeting grid reliability and the integration of clean energy sources.

Addressing a Grid Under Pressure

Canada's electricity grid, while already one of the cleanest in the world with over 83% of its power coming from non-emitting sources, is facing unprecedented strain. The nationwide push towards electrification—powering everything from vehicles to home heating with electricity instead of fossil fuels—is projected to double or even triple demand in the coming decades. This surge requires a grid that is not only larger but also smarter and more robust.

Parts of the country's electrical infrastructure are aging, making them vulnerable to failure and less efficient. Compounding this is the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. From severe winter storms and ice accumulation to wildfires and heatwaves, climate change is testing the resilience of the grid as never before. The choice of Calgary for the announcement is particularly symbolic, as Alberta has experienced significant grid alerts due to extreme temperatures and has a unique energy landscape. The province has historically relied heavily on fossil fuels for power and is now in the midst of a rapid transition, making investments in grid stability and renewable integration especially critical.

Experts note that modernizing the grid is essential for "keeping the lights on." This involves not just replacing old wires and transformers but also deploying advanced technologies that can predict and prevent outages, manage fluctuating power loads from wind and solar, and restore service more quickly after a disruption.

Powering Canada's Green Ambitions

The upcoming funding is expected to align with and build upon existing federal strategies aimed at decarbonizing the economy. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) already oversees several large-scale programs, most notably the $4.5 billion Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs), which runs until 2036. SREPs supports the deployment of renewable energy technologies, energy storage solutions, and grid modernization projects across the country.

This new investment will likely inject fresh capital into similar initiatives, accelerating the development of wind, solar, and geothermal power, as well as crucial supporting technologies like large-scale battery storage. Energy storage is seen as the key to unlocking the full potential of intermittent renewables, allowing excess energy generated on windy or sunny days to be saved and deployed when needed, ensuring a consistent power supply.

The announcement may also provide clarity on the government's timeline for a net-zero electricity grid. While a 2021 mandate letter aimed for a 100% net-zero grid by 2035, more recent policy discussions suggest this target may be shifting towards 2050. Observers will be watching closely to see how the new funding aligns with these long-term objectives and supports Canada's 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels.

An Economic Spark for a New Energy Era

Beyond the environmental and reliability benefits, the federal investment is being framed as a significant economic driver. This aligns with the broader mandate of Prime Minister Carney's government, elected in 2025, to establish Canada as an "energy superpower in both clean and conventional energies" while bringing down costs for Canadians.

Large-scale infrastructure projects are known to create thousands of jobs in construction, engineering, and manufacturing. Furthermore, fostering a robust clean energy sector is expected to attract billions in private investment, spurring innovation in Canadian clean technology companies. For provinces like Alberta, such investments support economic diversification efforts, creating new opportunities outside of the traditional oil and gas sector.

Key stakeholders, including public utilities like Alberta's ATCO and Calgary's ENMAX, renewable energy developers, and technology providers, will be the primary beneficiaries and implementers of the funded projects. The investment is also intended to have a direct impact on consumers by ensuring that the energy transition does not lead to skyrocketing electricity bills. By supporting lower-cost renewable generation and improving system efficiency, the government aims to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses.

What to Expect in Calgary

While the full scope of Monday's announcement remains under wraps, it is anticipated to include specific allocations for projects that enhance grid modernization, expand renewable capacity, and bolster infrastructure against climate-related threats. The funding could take the form of an expansion of the SREPs program, a new dedicated fund for grid resilience, or support for critical interprovincial transmission projects that would allow clean hydroelectric power from provinces like Quebec and Manitoba to reach more populated and industrial centers.

The focus will likely be on tangible outcomes: a more reliable power supply, a cleaner energy mix, and a stronger, more innovative economy. As Parliamentary Secretary Hogan takes the podium in Calgary, the announcement will be viewed as a critical next step in the complex and costly process of building a Canadian energy system that is fit for the 21st century.