In Canada, the majority of electricity generation comes from low-carbon sources, with more than three-quarters of the electricity being produced in this sustainable manner. Among these, hydropower leads the way, providing more than half of the country's electricity, showcasing Canada's rich water resources. Nuclear power also plays a significant role, contributing almost 14% to the clean energy mix. Wind and biofuels also add to this low-carbon portfolio, even though their shares are noticeably smaller. In contrast, fossil fuels account for just over a fifth of the electricity generation, with natural gas being the primary contributor, followed by coal. This distribution highlights Canada's commitment to a sustainable energy future with minimal reliance on fossil fuels, thanks to its substantial low-carbon infrastructure.
Is Electricity Growing in Canada?
Despite this promising low-carbon footprint, Canada's electricity consumption has seen a decline. In 2024, the total electricity consumption was around 15,959 kWh per person, showing a considerable decrease from the peak consumption in 2000, which was nearly 20,000 kWh per person. Furthermore, the share of low-carbon electricity per person has also decreased from its record levels in 1996, highlighting a reduction in both overall and clean power utilization per capita. These trends suggest that Canada must address these declines to meet increasing demand driven by the needs of electrification and the advancing technological landscape, particularly through growth in low-carbon electricity generation.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity mix, Canada should look toward its existing strengths in nuclear energy, which is already a significant part of the nation's clean power generation. Expanding nuclear capacity promises a reliable and robust solution to help meet rising demand without exacerbating climate change. Learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power provides the majority of electricity, Canada can see the benefits of a strong nuclear infrastructure. Additionally, the success of nations like Denmark and Ireland in wind energy demonstrates the potential for integrating more diverse low-carbon sources. Focusing on these proven strategies will enable Canada to strengthen its electricity generation capacity sustainably.
History
Analyzing the historical trends, the growth in Canada's low-carbon electricity was notable in the late 1970s through the mid-1980s, especially in hydropower. This expansion continued with several fluctuations until the early 2000s, where hydro experienced a decline, while nuclear saw a rise in the early 2000s. However, recent years have shown setbacks, with hydropower experiencing significant declines, notably in 2023 and 2024. This highlights the need to revitalize Canada's commitment to low-carbon sources, ensuring reliability and sustainability long-term. By focusing on expanding nuclear and adopting learnings from successful global practices, Canada can secure its clean energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.