About Electricity

Content

Key Descriptors

  • The structure of the electricity sector has been evolving over the past decade. In most provinces, there has been a shift from vertically-integrated electric utilities (often provincial Crown corporations) to various degrees of market liberalization and/or unbundling of generation, transmission and distribution services.
  • In 2006, electric utilities and industry in Canada generated 593 billion kilowatt-hours. Canada is a world leader in hydroelectricity, which accounts for 59 per cent of the country’s electricity supply. Other sources include coal, uranium, natural gas, petroleum and non-hydro renewable sources.
  • In 2006, 41 billion kilowatt hours were exported to the United States, while 24 billion kilowatt-hours were imported.
  • Electricity demand in Canada has grown at an annual average rate of 1.2 per cent since 1990. The industrial sector accounts for the largest share of demand, fuelled by the presence of a number of energy-intensive industrial activities. The residential and commercial-institutional sectors also consume large quantities of electricity.
  • Factors such as population growth, economic growth and greater use of electrical appliances and equipment are expected to continue to drive electricity demand in the coming years.
  • Canadian consumers benefit from some of the lowest electricity prices in the developed world. Prices are especially low in the provinces where the electricity sold to consumers originates primarily from hydroelectric dams.

What is Electricity?

Electricity is the flow of electrons from a negatively charged body to a positively charged body. Electricity can be used by humans as an energy source in a large number of applications that include heating, lighting and powering electric motors.

While electricity exists in natural forms such as lightning and static electricity, it is usually generated for human use by electromechanical generators. These generators may be propelled by the kinetic energy of flowing water and wind, or by the movement of steam produced from water boiled by fuel combustion or nuclear fission. Other energy sources and technologies can also be used, including natural gas turbines and solar photovoltaic cells. Once generated, the electricity is transported by a conductor (usually copper wire) to a point where it is converted into usable energy, be it light, thermal, or kinetic energy.

Industry Structure

The electricity industry is involved in three main activities:

  • the generation of electricity using various energy sources and technologies;
  • the high-voltage transmission of electricity, usually over long distances, to bring electricity from power plants to end-use markets; and,
  • the distribution of electricity to end-users, usually through low-voltage local distribution power lines.

The generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Canada fall primarily under provincial jurisdiction. Provincial governments exercise their jurisdiction through provincial Crown utilities and regulatory agencies. Historically, electricity has been provided mainly by vertically-integrated electric utilities that were often provincial Crown corporations with monopoly rights (e.g., Manitoba Hydro). Some large industrial electricity users, such as aluminum manufacturers, have also built electricity generation facilities to meet their own electricity requirements.

Over the past decade, the structure of the electricity industry has undergone significant change. Most provinces have unbundled the generation, transmission and distribution functions of electric utilities into separate organizations. As well, some provinces have moved towards a more competitive generation system with the private sector playing an increasing role, giving rise to independent power producers.

Several associations represent the interests of the electricity industry, including the Canadian Electricity Association, several provincially focused independent power producers’ societies, and several source-specific associations (e.g., the Canadian Hydropower Association).

The federal government plays a supporting role by investing in research and development and supporting the commercialization of new technologies. The National Energy Board exercises federal jurisdiction over electricity exports and over international and interprovincial power lines. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission exercises federal jurisdiction over nuclear energy. The federal government is also active in the development of nuclear energy technology through its crown corporation, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.

Generation

Electricity generation tends to rise slightly every year in order to meet gradually increasing demand. In 2006, electricity generation amounted to 593 billion kilowatt hours, of which more than 90 per cent was generated by electric utilities. By comparison, electricity generation totalled 467 billion kilowatt-hours in 1990.

Electricity in Canada is generated from a diversified mix of sources. The most important source is moving water, which generates 59.3 per cent of electricity supply. Canada is a world leader in hydroelectricity with over 72 million kilowatts of installed capacity. This capacity has been developed where favourable geography and hydrography exist, primarily in Quebec but also in British Columbia, Ontario, Labrador and Manitoba.

Fossil fuels are the second most important source of electricity in Canada. About 16.5 per cent of electricity supply comes from coal, 5.2 per cent from natural gas and less than 1.9 per cent from petroleum. Fossil fuel generation is particularly important in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where several power stations have been built adjacent to large coal deposits. Fossil fuel generation is also important in the Atlantic Provinces, Ontario and the territories.

Nuclear power is the third most important source of electricity in Canada. About 15.6 per cent of electricity supply is generated in nuclear power plants using the Canadian-developed CANDU reactor. Twenty of Canada’s 22 nuclear power installations are in Ontario, one is in New Brunswick and one is in Quebec.

Non-hydro renewable sources currently contribute 1.6 per cent of Canada’s electricity supply. The predominant non-hydro renewable source is biomass (e.g., wood waste, spent pulping liquor). Emerging sources, such as wind, solar and ocean power, provide a small but increasing amount of electricity.

Electricity Generation in Canada

Electricity Generation in Canada

International and Interprovincial Trade

Historically, provincial governments tended to ensure that enough electricity generation capacity was developed within their boundaries to meet provincial needs. As a result, a limited amount of electricity is traded between neighbouring provinces and with the United States. One major exception is Labrador’s Churchill Falls hydro facility, whose output is sold to Hydro-Québec Distribution.

Still, a certain amount of trading takes place as it provides opportunities for sellers to increase revenues by selling electricity that might otherwise go to waste and opportunities for buyers to ensure adequate supplies in periods of high demand or during outages at generating plants.

Some trading reflects seasonal circumstances in that electricity demand peaks during the winter in Canada and peaks during the summer in the United States. As well, hydroelectric utilities with water reservoirs may boost production during daily peak demand periods in order to export electricity at advantageous prices, and then reduce production (while refilling the reservoirs) during off-peak periods while importing electricity at lower prices.

In recent years, Canada has been a net exporter of electricity to the United States. In 2006, export sales to the United States amounted to 41 billion kilowatt-hours, which is less than 10 per cent of total Canadian production. Import purchases from the United States amounted to 23 billion kilowatt-hours. Revenues from exports totalled $2.5 billion in 2006, while imports totalled $1.2 billion.

Exports and Imports of Electricity

Exports and Imports of Electricity

Domestic Consumption

Since 1990, electricity demand in Canada has grown at an average annual rate of 1.2 percent. Increases in electricity demand stem from factors such as population growth, economic growth and greater use of electrical appliances and equipment. Improvements in energy efficiency help to limit the growth in electricity demand.

Weather also affects demand. For instance, demand may be reduced during years with less extreme weather — milder winters lower electric heating requirements, and cooler summers lower electric cooling requirements.

In 2006, final electricity demand — excluding line losses and consumption by electricity generators — amounted to 528 billion kilowatt-hours. The industrial sector accounts for the largest share of electricity demand, driven by a number of energy-intensive industrial activities in the mining and manufacturing sectors. Together, the aluminum and paper industries represent nearly half of all industrial demand. The residential and commercial-institutional sectors also consume large quantities of electricity.

The four largest provinces by population are also the largest power consumers. There are, however, significant differences among provinces in per capita consumption. For instance, Quebec, with 24 per cent of Canada’s population, accounts for 36 per cent of demand in Canada. Such differences reflect varying practices in space and water heating (i.e., electricity versus natural gas or fuel oil) and the location of the energy-intensive industrial activities.

Final Demand for Electricity, by Sector

Final Demand for Electricity, by Sector

Prices

Electricity prices differ across Canada due to a number of factors. One important element of pricing is the cost of generating electricity, which varies by province or territory depending on the sources used to produce electricity. Hydroelectric stations currently provide some of the lowest-cost electricity in Canada. However, as the most economical projects were developed first, new hydroelectric projects may have higher production costs.

Hydroelectric and nuclear power plants are fairly capital intensive, which means that a major portion of the generation costs pertains to the cost of building the production infrastructure. Operating and fuel costs are relatively low compared to other electricity sources.

In the case of natural gas and petroleum-based generation, the cost of fuel accounts for a large portion of total generation costs. Because of this, the cost of generating electricity from these fuels fluctuates with changes in the prices of these fuels. Coal-fired power plants fit in the middle of this spectrum, with mid-range capital costs and mid-range fuel and operating costs.

Other important elements of the pricing of electricity, in addition to the cost of generation, are the costs of its transmission and local distribution. These costs vary across Canada, depending on factors such as geography and population density.

Canadian consumers benefit from some of the lowest electricity prices in North America. In Canada, the lowest electricity prices are found in British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec. These three provinces have access to low-cost hydroelectricity from large-scale projects.

While electricity prices in other provinces are higher, they are still lower than prices found in many areas of the United States. For instance, in early 2007, the average residential rate was about 7 to 8 cents per kilowatt-hour in British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec, while in most other provinces prices were in the neighbourhood of 12 cents. By comparison, residential rates in many of the major cities of the United States were in the range of 13 cents to 25 cents.

Reliability

Because of the technical limitations on storing electricity, electric utilities and governments work to ensure that enough electricity is available to meet demand at any given time and to avoid power outages. Several actions are also taken to ensure the reliability of the electricity grid.

Having a generating capacity in excess of the expected peak demand is one way to ensure reliability. This allows electric utilities to still meet demand when some generation capacity may be offline because of routine maintenance or unexpected shutdowns. Utilities may also secure access to additional supplies by trading electricity with neighbouring utilities, including those in the United States.

Adequate transmission is also vital to ensure reliability. Transmission allows for moving electricity from areas with excess electricity to areas where electricity is needed. Electricity can be transmitted both within the area of distribution of a given utility and between utilities.

Several other actions are taken to ensure reliability, including the careful management of the electricity grid in real time and the adoption of standards and operation procedures.

Outlook

Electricity demand in Canada is expected to grow at an annual rate of 1.3 per cent between 2005 and 2020. Most of the growth in demand would come from the commercial sector, where demand is expected to grow at a rate of 2.6 per cent. Growth in this sector would reflect increased electricity use for space cooling and lighting and, to a lesser extent, for office equipment, ventilation and other uses.

Electricity demand in the residential sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 1.3 per cent, reflecting an increase in the number of households. Electricity demand in the manufacturing industry is expected to increase rather modestly because of slow growth in the level of electricity-intensive activities and improvements in energy efficiency.

In order to meet increasing demand, Canadian producers will increase their generation capacity. The sources of future supply increments will depend on the policy and business decisions made by governments and power producers, respectively. The main sources of growth are expected to be moving water, natural gas and wind. Nuclear generation is expected to remain at its current level, although the construction of new nuclear plants is being considered. Generation from both oil-fired and coal-fired plants is expected to decrease.

Endnotes

This document is based on information available in the summer of 2008. Statistics originate mostly from publications of Statistics Canada. Data on prices are from Hydro-Québec, while growth rates presented in the Outlook section are from Canada’s Energy Outlook: The Reference Case 2006, prepared by Natural Resources Canada.

Electric power is usually measured in watts or multiples of it, such as kilowatts (thousands of watts) and megawatts (millions of watts); one watt is equivalent to one joule per second. Electrical energy — that is, the flow of electric power over time — is measured in watt-hours (kilowatt-hours, megawatt-hours, etc.); one watt-hour is equivalent to 3,600 joules. As an example, a 60-watt light bulb that operates for two hours consumes 120 watt-hours of electricity.