abarrelfull wrote on 15 May 2012 10:47
Tags: canada poland
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Canada and Poland confirm their common interests in advancing their energy security, environmental sustainability and economic development. Both countries are seeking to diversify their energy mixes and enhance energy efficiency to help address their energy security and environmental challenges.
In order to benefit mutually in advancing their common interests, Canada and Poland will continue their energy dialogue on a bilateral basis and through international organizations of which both countries are members. Furthermore, they encourage enhanced commercial cooperation between interested companies in the energy sector.
In particular, Canada and Poland consider the following areas to have potential for further dialogue and cooperation, and will pursue suitable opportunities to realize this potential.
Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources
Shale gas and tight oil are emerging as major new sources of energy supply in Canada. Poland also has considerable shale gas resources. According to preliminary estimates non-conventional oil reserves are located in Poland as well. Canadian and Polish regulators continue to share information about safety and appropriate unconventional resources regulatory frameworks. Canada and Poland share the view that shale gas development can be done safely, without significant environmental impacts, while contributing significant economic and employment benefits. Canada and Poland will continue their dialogue to contribute to this objective.
Science-Based, Fair and Non-Discriminatory Regulation
Canada and Poland believe that regulatory policies should be science-based, open and transparent, and should respect jurisdictional authorities and international agreements.
Both countries support the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and do not object to the principle of a low carbon fuel standard for transportation fuels. They will work together to ensure that any regulatory measures are based on sound science and are fair and non-discriminatory.
Low-emission technologies
Canada and Poland are both supporting low-emissions technologies, including large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) demonstration projects to further advance the significant abatement of greenhouse gas emissions. They will continue to collaborate in this field through multilateral partnerships such as the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, and will work to ensure that the knowledge and lessons learned from these demonstration projects are shared and contribute to accelerating the global deployment of CCS.
Nuclear Energy
Canada and Poland believe that nuclear energy can make an important contribution to energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions where it is subject to rigorous and effective management and regulation to ensure safety, reliability and protection of the public and environment.
Canada has world-class nuclear energy expertise, and its indigenous CANDU nuclear energy technology has been used safely and securely in Canada and several other countries for many years. Canada’s low-cost, high-quality uranium resources are the third largest in the world, and represent a secure and reliable source of uranium for nuclear power generation.
Poland is aiming to have its first nuclear power unit operational by 2023, with a view to further increase nuclear capacity towards 2030.
Canada and Poland will continue their dialogue in this field bilaterally and multilaterally, and encourage scientific, technical and commercial exchanges to advance the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy.
Energy Efficiency, Smart Meters and Smart Grids
Canada and Poland recognize the importance of energy efficiency in addressing the multiple challenges of economic development, energy security and climate change mitigation. They reaffirm their existing commitments to improve the energy intensity of their respective economies.
Developing and deploying smart metering and smart grids is progressing in Canada and is also part of Poland’s policy. Smart meters and smart grids can play an important role in demand-side management and facilitate the incorporation of distributed generation, enhancing overall electricity system flexibility. Canada and Poland will continue to learn from each other’s experience and encourage further technical cooperation where appropriate.
Renewable Energy
Canada and Poland are both realizing their renewable energy potential, particularly with regard to biomass energy. However, they recognize that more can be done in this regard, and also in developing other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Canada and Poland have supported the significant growth of wind power in their countries over the last decade. Canada is now the 9th largest producer of wind energy in the world and Poland continues to emerge as a promising Central European market in this area. Canada and Poland will continue to share experiences and benefit from each other’s expertise in renewable energy.