Electricity generation in Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Breakdown of electricity generation in Canada (2003)
Breakdown of electricity generation in Canada (2003)

Most electricity in Canada is generated by Hydroelectric,natural gas, coal and nuclear power, while biomass, solar energy, wind generators and fuel oil are used to a limited extent.

The electrical generating capacities of some of the provinces and territories in Canada are broken down below (data for British Columbia, Nova Scotia, PEI, NW Territories, and Nunavut are to be provided). Units when available are provided in megawatts (MW).

Contents

[edit] Alberta

Data is as of May, 2005 [1]:

  • Coal - 5,840 MW - 48.3%
  • Natural gas - 4,903 MW - 40.5%
  • Hydro - 900 MW - 7.4%
  • Wind - 270 MW - 2.2%
  • Biomass - 178 MW - 1.4%
  • Fuel Oil - 8 MW - 0.06%

Total: 12,099 MW

[edit] Manitoba

Manitoba Hydro is the crown corporation that generates most power in Manitoba.

Installed capacity:

  • Hydro - 4,947 MW (91%)
  • Natural Gas - 381 MW (7%)
  • Coal - 95 MW (2%)
  • Diesel - 4 MW

Total 5,427 MW

[edit] New Brunswick

Taken from NBPower WebSite

Generation

NB Power Generation supplies wholesale energy products in a competitive environment. It wholly-owns three subsidiaries: NB Power Coleson Cove Corporation, which owns and operates the Coleson Cove Generating Station; and NB Coal Limited, which mines coal to supply the Grand Lake Generating Station.

Electricity is generated at 14 hydro, coal, oil, diesel, nuclear and Orimulsion®, powered stations, with an installed net capacity of 3,313 MW comprised of 1,903 MW thermal, 884 MW hydro and 526 MW of combustion turbine capacity. With limited natural resources to generate electricity in the province, NB Power Generation has developed one of the most diverse generating systems in North America. Units have performed well against availability and reliability targets, which are essential to meeting operational and financial objectives. The 458 MW base load unit at Belledune was recently recognized by an industry benchmarking group as the one of the most economic coal-fired generators in North America.

Capitalizing on geographic location and regional weather diversity, the generating system was designed to meet winter peaks and benefit from non-winter sales to neighbouring jurisdictions.

[edit] Ontario

Taken from Ministry of Energy Website

Estimated 2005 electricity generation mix:

  • Nuclear - 51%
  • Hydro - 22%
  • Coal - 19%
  • Natural gas - 7%
  • Other - 1%


Nuclear Energy - Nuclear plants account for over 50 per cent of Ontario's electricity generation mix. There are three nuclear power plants in Ontario: Pickering Generating Station, Darlington Generating Station and Bruce Power.


Hydroelectric Energy - Hydroelectric generation accounts for 22 per cent of Ontario's generating mix. There are currently about 180 hydroelectric stations (of which 58 are connected to the grid) in Ontario, the size and power of which vary considerably. The smallest stations produce less than one megawatt of power, while Ontario's largest, Niagara Falls' Sir Adam Beck 2 Generating Station, produces over 1,400 megawatts of electricity.


Fossil Energy Generation

Coal - Ontario currently has four coal-fired fuel stations: Nanticoke, Lambton, Thunder Bay, and Atikokan. Together they account for approximately one quarter of Ontario's generating capacity.

The government plans to replace coal-fired generation in Ontario by 2009, but will not jeopardize Ontario's reliability of supply.

Natural Gas - Natural gas accounts for approximately 7 per cent of Ontario’s generating mix. There are currently about 60 natural gas stations of varying sizes, of which 19 are connected to the grid.


Alternative Energy Sources - The Ontario government is committed to the development of new renewable sources of electricity generation. The government has set a goal of five per cent of all generating capacity in the province to come from renewable sources by 2007 and 10 per cent by 2010.


[edit] Québec

Data is as of 2002[2]:

  • Hydro - 96.7%
  • Nuclear - 2.3%
  • Oil - 0.5%
  • Biomass - 0.3%
  • Natural gas - 0.2%
  • Wind - 0.1%

[edit] Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is a major generator of electric power, by hydroelectric and fossil fuel sources. The largest source of generation is from the Churchill Falls hydroelectric station in Labrador. However under the terms of the Upper Churchill Falls contract in 1969, the lion's share of revenue goes to Hydro Quebec which purchases the electricity at extremely low rates for 65 years.

Installed Capacity (2005):

  • Hydro - 6367 MW (87%)
  • Oil - 490 MW (7%)
  • Gas Turbine - 150 MW (2%)
  • Diesel - 56 MW (<1%)

Total: 7288 MW

[edit] Saskatchewan

SaskPower is the crown corporation that generates most power in Saskatchewan. A mix of power sources are used including coal, natural gas, hydro and wind.

Installed Capacity (May 2006):

  • Coal - 1654 MW (48%)
  • Hydro - 851.8 MW (25%)
  • Natural Gas - 767 MW (22%)
  • Wind - 172 MW (5%)

Total: 3444.8 MW

[edit] Yukon

Yukon Energy Corporation is the crown corporation that generates most in the Yukon. A mix of power sources are used including hydro, wind and diesel generators. The Yukon has two separate grids neither connected to the continental power grid.

  • Hydro - 75 MW (99%)
  • Wind Power 0.81 MW (1%)
  • Diesel - emergency backup

Total 75.81 MW

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Alberta Energy - Electricty Generation
  2. ^ Government of Quebec - Energy Strategy

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../e/l/e/Electricity_generation_in_Canada_2b98.html"