Global rank¹ of Canada in hydroelectricity production: 3
Percentage of world total: 11.7

Large quantities of hydroelectricity are produced in British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ontario. Hydropower is primarily used to meet base load demand because of its relatively low operating costs. Also, energy can be stored in reservoirs during off-peak demand when wholesale electricity prices are low then released during high peak demand periods when prices are high.² 

Large scale hydro projects are under consideration in Manitoba, Newfoundland, Quebec and British Columbia and there is also potential for further development in medium to small hydro and run-of-river developments in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.³ 

Approximately 75% of Canada’s electricity generation is non-emitting, the majority of which is generated by hydropower. ⁴

[2] Natural Resources  Canada, Economic Scan of the Energy Sector 2008

[3] Ibid

[4] Primary energy consumption, Energy production and consumption percentages from Natural Resources Canada, Important Facts on Canada’s Natural Resources, Energy, http://www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/stat/energ-eng.php (2008 figures).