Prince Edward Island's new energy strategy calls for strengthened consumer protections and upgrades to infrastructure, while highlighting energy equity and affordability. 

The PEI Energy Strategy outlines high-level priorities to achieve the Government of Prince Edward Island's long-term vision for the energy system through to 2035.   

"We recognize the need to take action to improve PEI's energy system to meet growing electricity demand, maintain affordability, and achieve climate goals. Moving forward, we'll coordinate across government departments, utilities, the regulator, and with communities to transform the high-level guidance outlined in the strategy into a detailed implementation plan."

Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Gilles Arsenault

Key facts about PEI's energy systems:

• 25 per cent of the energy used in PEI is in the form of electricity, while refined petroleum products and biofuels (gasoline, diesel, propane, home heating oil, wood chips, etc) comprise 75 per cent of PEI's energy supply.
• The transportation sector is responsible for 42 per cent of PEI's total energy demand, and 45 per cent of PEI's total greenhouse gas emissions.
• Targeted energy efficiency programming and investments have resulted in a steady decrease in provincial greenhouse gas emissions over the last three years despite population growth of nearly 17 per cent over the same time-period.
• PEI has an average electrical load of less than 300 megawatts, which can be supplied through on-Island generation and importing power.
• The Island's peak electrical load was 393 megawatts during the polar vortex in 2023.
• PEI's electricity system is vulnerable to extreme weather events that are expected to increase in intensity and frequency due to climate change.
• PEI's electricity comes from
• on-Island renewable energy  (14 per cent)
• imported from New Brunswick (85 per cent)
• on-Island oil fired generation (0.2 per cent)
• Over 80 per cent of the power imported from New Brunswick comes from non-emitting sources.
• PEI's electricity rates are in the middle of the pack when compared to rates in other provinces and territories.

PEI's energy strategy is built on five strategic pillars:

• Reform mandates - ensuring foundational stability and innovation in the regulatory space
• Save energy - reducing energy consumption to support decarbonization and deliver lasting benefits to households and businesses
• Enhance the grid - maintaining a reliable, flexible, and interconnected electricity system that can support Island homes and businesses
• Expand clean energy - building a sustainable, affordable, and low-carbon supply mix
• Enable solutions - equipping people, systems, and institutions to drive a successful energy transition.

"Now is the time to reshape our energy system. The work ahead of us is local, regional and national in nature. This strategy gives us a clear path forward as a province, and it will ensure we play a strong role in the region."

Minister Arsenault

To read the strategy, visit PEI Energy Strategy.