The Government of Canada has announced a set of clean electricity regulations (CER) to facilitate the clean energy transition and help Canada reach its net-zero-by 2035 target by reducing emissions inherent in electricity production.

Canada already generates 84% of its electricity from non-carbon-emitting sources such as hydropower, nuclear power and wind.

The draft regulations unveiled this week aim to cut 340 megatonnes of greenhouse emissions between 2024 and 2050 with a a stringent pollution emissions standard for electricity production. According to the government, the standard  does not promote specific technologies, but rather gives producers freedom to innovate with different technologies.

The CER also states that as part of its flexibility, small amounts of fossil fuel burning in electricity production may still be allowed past the country’s 2035 net-zero target date.

Steven Guilbeault, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change for Canada, stated: “A net-zero grid will serve as the basis for climate actions across the economy, like helping Canadians switch to electric transportation and heating, or the development of new and cleaner industries.

He continued: “Our government is committed to working closely with all provinces, territories and partners on delivering the benefits of a clean grid in a way that ensures reliability and affordability to all Canadians.”

More than C$40bn (US$29.7bn) in tax credits will be made available as a part of the new regulations in order to entice businesses to decarbonise. Earlier this year, global auto-manufacturer Volkswagen chose Canada as the location for building its new battery plant, the company’s first outside Europe. Volkswagen will benefit from both US and Canadian subsidies for production in Canada, providing an additional incentive to produce in the country.