Sask. decreases power generation from coal by 6.5%: National Energy Board

Saskatchewan's power generation by coal is decreasing but it still remains the largest source, according to the National Energy Board's Renewable Power Landscape report.

The report looks at energy trends across the country.

In 2005, coal accounted for 67 per cent of energy production in the province. It's now down to 49 per cent. In one year alone, from 2015 to 2016, Saskatchewan's coal power generation decreased by 6.5 per cent.

Saskatchewan also generates five times more greenhouse gases than the average in Canada, due in part to the high use of non-renewable sources such ascoal and natural gas.

While coal use dropped, natural gas use rose. It's not a renewable source, but natural gasproduces 50 per cent less greenhouse gases than coal.

This decrease in the use of coal is on par with overall trends in the countrywhich continues to see coal declinebut Saskatchewan is lagging behind most other provinces when it comes to renewable energy.

No solar power

Renewable energy, such aswind and hydroelectricity, accounts for only about 17 per cent of the energy generated in Saskatchewan.

Even though Saskatchewan is one of the sunniest provinces in Canada, there are currently no large-scale solar farms.

SaskPower is working towardimproving these numbers, though. Their Renewables Roadmap says they aim to generate 50 per cent of their energy from renewables by 2030, with a goal of adding 60 megawatts of large-scale solar generation in the next three to four years.