Renewable Energy Indicators
Prince Edward Island is one of the global leaders in the development of renewable energy.
The six gauges presented below represent the total PEI electrical load, total on-Island generation (from wind, solar and fossil fuels), and an estimation of how much energy is used locally and how much is exported off-Island.
Renewable energy created in net-metering agreements is not considered in these gauges. There is over 45 Megawatts (MW) of net-metered renewable energy and that number is growing daily.
Explanation of Gage Displays Above
- Total On-Island Load is the amount of electricity required to power lights, motors, appliances and other users of electric energy in PEI.
- Total On-Island Wind Generation is the amount of electricity being generated from all wind facilities in the province.
- Total On-Island Solar plus Battery Generation is the amount of electricity being generated from all utility-scale solar facilities in the province. Batteries integrated with the solar farms are either charged with excess solar energy or at night when electricity is more readily available on the grid. These batteries then help the grid meet electrical peak demand that typically occurs during the morning and evening hours when islanders are getting ready or getting home from work, school, etc... A negative value on the dial indicates that the batteries are being charge in excess of the solar energy being generated.
- Total On-Island Fossil Fueled Generation is the amount of electricity being generated from fossil fuel fired equipment. Typically, this generation is only required when there is an interruption of supply from off Island or during periods of extreme cold.
- Renewable Power Used On-Island includes only that portion of the Total Wind and Solar Generated that is being used to meet purchase agreements of the province’s two electrical utilities, Maritime Electric Company, Limited (MECL) and City of Summerside Electric Utility. All of the energy from the PEI Energy Corporation Wind and Solar Farms is sold to Maritime Electric.
- Renewable Power Exported Off-Island is an estimate of the portion of wind and solar generation that is supplying contracts elsewhere. The actual electricity from this portion of renewable generation may stay within PEI but is satisfying a contractual arrangement in another jurisdiction.
Meeting Prince Edward Island’s Fluctuating Demand
Ensuring there is a constant supply of electricity to meet fluctuating demand is complex. This means jurisdictions, including Prince Edward Island, must work with other jurisdictions to ensure we can meet our consumer demand (load) at all times.
Renewable energy exported off-Island, while generated on PEI, is not included in the calculation of the percentage of renewable power supplied to the province.
In net-metered applications there are two electrical meters, one to measure energy flowing into the customer’s facility and one to record when the renewable energy system is putting energy into the electrical grid. Energy used at the customer’s facility while it is being produced by the renewable energy system would not be measured by either meter. This makes it difficult to accurately measure, but at over 45 MW in 2024, the net-metered electrical energy generation could be higher than the total On-Island Solar (31 MW) shown in the gauges above.