The issue with talking about the price of green energy now is what are you comparing it to?
In Ontario we have an aging infrastructure that will need to be revamped/replaced/changed over the next few decades. If we left things as they are the price of electricity would still rise, albeit at a slower pace than it might over the next few years. Short term gain for long term pain I would suggest. In the long term, costs for renewables will decrease significantly, as they already have, while costs for carbon based energy will continue to rise. Replacement of existing infrastructure (including Ontarios existing fleet of nuclear plants) will cost m<b>illions and by the time renewables are on line and providing Ontarians with clean green energy, we will not have to spend as much replacing this aging infrastructure thereby "saving us money in the long run".
With the existing renewable programs and others such as Demand Response, Ontario will be able to shut down its dirty coal burning generators either next year or the year after. Im sure most here understand the benefits of that.
Alberta is also nearing crunch time with its energy usage. Your increased population and production due to your new immigrants are putting a significant strain on your grid. Programs to help ease that burden have started in Alberta such as the LSSi Demand Response, Load Shedding program and are now part of your future energy costs.
The costs associated with Nuclear are huge and the biggest issue surrounding nukes is "who wants them in their backyard"? Im not sure many here on CP would raise their hands to have a Nuke built near their home. (Remember Nukes dont last a lifetime)
We are all part of this issue, noone will escape it. We will all have to pay for the changes one way or the other, and who is to say which is the correct or the cheapest way. Lets discuss it again in 20 years for the right answer. The key is to get started now, and I am happy that Ontario's Liberal government is doing it the right way...not the way the Conservatives wanted during the election.
Build more nukes at any cost....and that was one reason they lost even though they held a sizeable lead going into the campaign.
Heres a decent report on renewables in Ontario from the Pembina Institute...
http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/behi...itch-final.pdf