Renewable energy impacts on Canada's remote areas: A review study

Canadian remote communities predominantly rely on diesel for electricity generation, resulting in high energy costs, environmental damage, unreliable services, and limitations on community development. To promote the widespread adoption of renewable energy (RE) in remote regions, a comprehensive assessment of their impacts on communities, constraints, and strategies for addressing obstacles is needed. This study reviews RE applications, including geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, and kinetic hydropower, in remote areas of Canada, highlighting resource potential, study methodologies, and associated environmental, economic, social, and policy dimensions. From 120 reviewed publications, hybrid/integrated systems have received the most attention (31 %). Simulation and optimization are the dominant methods (48 % and 45 %, respectively); TRNSYS is the most common simulation tool, while Homer and RETScreen are frequently applied in optimization studies. Adopting RE in remote communities benefits the environment by reducing GHG emissions, local pollutants, and noise, and may contribute to permafrost stability, though risks such as wildlife disturbance and visual impacts require careful siting and design. Economically, high upfront capital costs remain the main barrier, although long-term fuel savings can offset investments, and government incentives and financial support could help overcome this challenge. Socially, RE adoption enhances energy security, improves health and welfare, and creates jobs, but may also displace diesel-related employment, highlighting the importance of local ownership, respect for community values, and youth education in achieving community acceptance. On the policy side, despite growing federal funding, restrictive regulations, low power purchase rates, and policy instability hinder community participation, underscoring the need for supportive and inclusive frameworks.