Electricity in Canada in 2023

Canada's electricity landscape in 2023 is heavily dominated by low-carbon sources, accounting for an impressive 80.57% of its total electricity generation. More than half of the electricity comes from hydropower, making it the cornerstone of Canada's clean energy portfolio. Nuclear power also contributes notably, providing 14.06% of the total electricity, while wind energy accounts for over 6%. Solar, geothermal, and biofuels collectively add a smaller, but still significant, portion. On the other hand, fossil fuels are responsible for about 19% of the electricity, with natural gas being the primary contributor at 14.19%, and coal making up about 4%. The next important challenge is to electrify other sectors such as transport, heating, and industry, which will require an increase in electricity production.

Suggestions

To accommodate this expected increase, Canada can focus on expanding its existing low-carbon electricity generation capabilities. Given that nuclear energy already plays a significant role, increasing nuclear capacity could be a very effective strategy. New, modern reactors could be built to enhance the reliability and scale of nuclear generation. Additionally, more wind and solar farms could be developed to harness these clean energy sources. The expansion of these low-carbon technologies would not only meet the growing electricity demands but also aid in reducing the country's dependency on fossil fuels, thereby combating climate change and improving air quality.

History

Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity in Canada, hydropower has seen various ups and downs over the decades. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there were significant increases in hydropower generation, with nearly 15 to 20 TWh added in some years. However, the late 1980s and early 2000s saw some sharp declines; particularly notable is the drop of over 25 TWh in 2001. The 1990s brought substantial growth in nuclear, especially around 1993 and 1994. Noteworthy is the substantial increase of nearly 15 TWh in nuclear power generation in 2004, a clear indicator of its rising role. The last few decades also demonstrated continued investments in hydropower, with various significant spikes and some occasional declines. Significantly, there was a major drop of nearly 34 TWh in hydropower in 2023, emphasizing the need for more stable and diverse low-carbon sources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources