Hydroelectric energy is a renewable energy source dependent upon the hydrologic cycle of water, which involves evaporation, precipitation and the flow of water due to gravity. Canada has abundant water resources and a geography that provides many opportunities to produce low-cost energy. In fact, accessing the energy from flowing waters has played an important role in the economic and social development of Canada for the past three centuries.
Hydroelectric energy in Canada
As shown by the figure above, hydroelectric energy is the main source of electricity in Canada, representing nearly two-thirds of all electricity produced. Most of this hydroelectricity comes from large projects developed by electric utilities.
As shown in Table 1, Canada is the world leader of hydroelectricity production, followed by the United States and Brazil. Installed generating capacity totaled 67,121 megawatts (MW) in 2002. A high electrical energy production rate of 59% was achievable due to the use of large reservoirs.
Table 1 - International Hydroelectricity Comparison
2002
Production GWh
Capacity MW
Canada
353,000
67,100
United States
300,000
76,000
Brazil
300,000
64,000
China
258,000
82,700
Russia
174,000
44,700
Norway
121,000
27,600
World Total
2,740,000
729,000
International hydroelectricity data was taken from the World Atlas and Industry Guide, International Journal on Hydropower and Dams. Aqua-Media International, UK, 2003.
Where is hydroelectric energy produced?
About half of the Canadian provinces are responsible for the majority of hydroelectric energy production in Canada, with Quebec being a market leader. The largest producers are provincially-owned electric utilities such as:
Hydro-Quebec
BC Hydro
Manitoba Hydro
Ontario Power Generation
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
These utilities have developed a series of large-scale hydro sites across the country. One of the largest hydroelectric development in the world is La Grande complex on the Quebec side of James Bay. It has a capacity of over 15,000 Megawatts. Some of the other large-scale hydro sites in Canada include:
Churchill Falls station in Labrador
Manicouagan-Outardes complex on the Quebec North Shore
Sir Adam Beck station on the Niagara River in Ontario
Nelson River development in Manitoba
Gordon Shrum station in Northern British Columbia
Columbia River complex in the southern part of British Columbia
Electric utilities are the main generators of hydroelectric energy, however there are other electrical producers of hydroelectric energy as shown in Table 2. Several industrial companies own and operate hydroelectric facilities for their own use. In many cases, this practice goes back to the first half of the century and pre-dates some of the hydroelectric utilities. Alcan, a world leader in aluminum production, is by far the most important industrial hydroelectric producer. It has facilities in Quebec and British Columbia for a total installed capacity of about 3,200 Megawatts. Several pulp and paper producers also have their own hydroelectric facilities.
