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Hydroelectricity in Canada

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Electricity generation
in Canada

According to the International Hydropower Association, Canada is the fourth largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world in 2021 after the United States, Brazil, and China.[1] In 2019, Canada produced 632.2 TWh of electricity with 60% of energy coming from Hydroelectric and Tidal Energy Sources).[2]

Some provinces and territories, such as British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Yukon produce over 90% of their electricity from Hydro. All of the dams with large reservoirs were completed before 1990, since then most development has been run-of-the-river, both large and small. Natural Resources Canada calculates the current installed small hydro capacity is 3,400 MW, with an estimated potential of 15,000 MW.[3] A report on the future of hydroelectricity, suggests the remaining 40% potential will remain undeveloped up to 2050, citing a lack of public acceptance.[4] The widespread usage of hydroelectricity, including being incorporated into electric utility names such as Toronto Hydro or BC Hydro, has led to "hydro" being used in some parts of Canada to refer to electricity in general, regardless of source.[5][6]

As of 2019, Canada had 81 GW of installed hydroelectric capacity, producing about 400 TWh of electricity.[7]

By region

See also: List of hydroelectric power stations in Canada
Installed hydroelectric capacity by province/territories in 2018[8]
province/territory installed capacity (MW)
Alberta 943
British Columbia 14,210
Manitoba 5,701
Newfoundland and Labrador 7,775.8
New Brunswick 950.1
Northwest Territories 56
Nova Scotia 365
Ontario 7,480
Prince Edward Island 0
Quebec 38,400
Saskatchewan 868
Yukon 95

British Columbia

BC Hydro owns and operates the majority of hydroelectric installations in British Columbia. A second crown corporation, Columbia Power Corporation and two companies also own large dams in BC, Alcan's Kemano Project and FortisBC.

90% of BC Hydro's generation is produced by hydroelectric means. Natural gas and biomass thermal power round out the generation portfolio.[9]

Over 80% of BC Hydro's installed in generating capacity is at hydroelectric installations in the Peace and Columbia river basins. The GM Shrum and Peace Canyon generating stations are on the Peace River produced 29% of BC Hydro's electricity requirements. In the Columbia River Basin, Mica and Revelstoke hydroelectric plants together contributed 25%, while Kootenay Canal and Seven Mile generating stations together supplied 10%.[10]

The remaining 25 hydroelectric generating stations supplied 14% of electricity production. BC Hydro also operates thermal power plants. The Burrard Thermal Generating Station contributes 7.5% and the remaining 14.5% of the electricity requirement was supplied by purchases and other transactions.[10]

BC Hydro's last dam was completed in 1984, since then run-of-the-river projects with private partners have been built. Power production without reservoirs varies dramatically through the year, so older dams with large reservoirs, retain water and average out capacity. As of 2012, there were approximately 40 small hydro sites generating 750 MW.[11] By 2014 various companies have built a total of 100 run of the river projects under 50 MW. In 2014 they produced 18,000 GWh from 4,500 MW of capacity.[12]

Drought Conditions

Present drought conditions persist in BC Hydro hydrodam reservoirs, particularly in the south coast of the province.[13] In a 2022 BC Hydro report titled "Casting Drought", it is noted that Campbell River on Vancouver Island has experienced its lowest water flow in 53 years. Despite these conditions, BC Hydro spokesperson Mora Scott states that preventative measures such as water conservation have been made in order to protect water flow and fish populations in vulnerable watersheds.

Manitoba Hydro

As of March 31, 2018, Manitoba Hydro serves a peak Manitoba electrical load of 5,648 megawatts.[14] Electrical supply to Manitoba customers was 22.5 terawatt-hours in fiscal 2017, with total revenue due to electricity of $1.464 billion CAD. Extraprovincial sales totaled $437 million in 2017-18 and were at 9.448 terawatt-hours, with normal water flows.[15] The company also delivered 2.048 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2017–18, which contributed $346 million CAD to revenues.[16] As of early 2020, around 97% of the electricity generation in Manitoba comes from hydroelectricity.[17] The new Keeyask Station on the Nelson River was completed in 2021-2022.[18][19]

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's installed generating capacity, 8034 megawatts (MW), 92 percent hydroelectric, is the third largest of all utility companies in Canada. The new Lower Churchill Project with a total generating capacity of 824 MW was completed between 2020 and 2022.[20]

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories has an installed hydroelectric generating capacity of 55 MW, supplying electricity to the North Slave and South Slave electricity grids. Each grid operates independently and is not connected to the electrical grid in the rest of Canada.

Ontario

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) produces 50% of the electricity used in the province, 40% from hydroelectric, 10% from nuclear-powered facilities, 30% from solar, and 20% from biomass. OPG uses thermal plants that burn biomass and natural gas with a generating capacity of 2,458 MW; these plants were not used in 2015.[21]

After a provincial government commitment to phase out all coal generating plants, two units at Nanticoke were shut down in fall 2010.[22] Another two were shut down in 2011.[23] The final four were shut down on December 31, 2013.[24]

Most of Ontario's large hydroelectric sites were utilized in the early 20th century,[25] which limits exenstive expansion from occurring within the province. Nonetheless, efforts by the Government of Canada in collaboration with hydropower entities to expand and maintain hydroelectric resources have been put in motion. This is partly driven by the fact that Ontario is forecasted to have a 60 TWh increase in net energy demand by 2043.[26]

Possible expansion in Northern Ontario

Zig Zag Rapid on Little Jackfish River

Ontario's current hydroelectricity stations are mainly located in southern Ontario.[27]

On January 26, 2022, Todd Smith, the Ontario Minister of Energy requested an analysis report from IESO in support of a voluntary clean energy credit registry for Ontario citizens.[28] CECs are claimable credits that represent one megawatt hour of clean energy.[29] According to the report requirements outlined in the letter, the registry would include credit offerings that based from existing, non-emitting generation such as nuclear, waterpower, wind, solar, and bioenergy.

On February 9, 2023, a report titled Made in Ontario Northern Hydroelectric Opportunities: Securing a Clean Energy Future Through Hydropower was published by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) in collaboration with the Ontario Waterpower Association. In response to Todd Smith's letter. The report claimed that the estimated hydroelectric potential in northern Ontario is 3000 to 4000 megawatts.[30] The document also provided the following locations as possible sites for hydroelectric development.

Area Number of Sites Rivers Low Scenario High Scenario
Moose River Basin 9 Abitibi Mattagami Moose 640 MW 1,250 MW
Albany and Attawapiskat Rivers 8 Albany Attawapiskat 680 MW 1,300 MW
Little Jackfish River 2 Little Jackfish 80 MW 105 MW
Severn River Basin 2 Severn Windigo 20 MW 35 MW

Little Jack River in particular had been an OPG ongoing project since 2011,[31] but had been put on hold as energy demands at that time were insufficient. However, with forecasted new demands, the revival of the project may be considered feasible by the Government of Canada.

Opposition to Expansion

While the instalment of hydroelectric stations in northern Ontario could potentially meet rising energy demands, public concerns over the environmental damage caused by hydroelectric activities are present.

The Ontario River Alliance opposes the creation of new hydroelectric facilities in Ontario, insisting that labeling hydroelectric power as a non-emitting source for CRCs is misinformation and that dams do generate greenhouse gasses by the accumulation of methane producing biomass.[32] This claim is based on a 2006 European study that correlates increased methane production of 7% to the accumulation of sedimentation behind hydraulic structures.[33]      

Quebec

Hydro-Québec's extensive network of 61 hydroelectric dams have a combined capacity of 38,400 megawatts,[34] accounting for over half of the Canadian total. Hydropower accounts for 95.73%[35] of the supply sold by the Quebec Crown-owned utility. Five of Hydro-Québec's hydroelectric facilities are rated above 2,000 MW — the Manic-5, La Grande-4, La Grande-3 La Grande-2-A and Robert-Bourassa stations — while 7 others have a capacity of over 1,000 megawatts.[36]

New projects

The proposed Gull Island facility would consist of a generation station with a capacity of 2,250 MW after 2023.[37]

The Romaine River project in Quebec started construction in 2009 and will have a capacity of 1550 MW by 2023.

The Site C dam on the Peace River in British Columbia will have a capacity of 1100 MW in 2025.

International comparison

Population, area, water resources, and GDP for selected countries[38]
Population (thousands) Area (km2) Renewable freshwater resources Total water withdrawal (km3) per year Gross Domestic Product (millions of $ U.S.) Gross Domestic Product ($ U.S.) per capita
Volume (km3) Volume (m3) per capita Volume (m3) per unit area (m2)
Brazil 188,158 8,514,880 8,233 1 43,756 0.967 59.3 1,089,398 5,790
India 1,147,746 3,287,260 1,892 9 1,648 0.576 645.9 911,376 794
France 63,236 549,190 204 43 3,226 0.371 40.0 2,266,137 35,836
Canada 32,628 9,978,904 3,472 3 1109,837 0.348 42.0 1,278,682 39,189
United States 305,697 9,632,030 3,051 4 9,980 0.317 473.6 13,116,500 42,907
China 1,297,847 9,598,090 2,830 6 2,181 0.295 630.4 2,779,871 2,142
Russian Federation 142,530 17,098,240 4,508 2 31,628 0.264 66.2 989,428 6,942
Mexico 106,411 1,964,380 457 25 4,295 0.233 78.2 945,644 8,887
Australia 20,628 7,741,220 492 21 23,851 0.064 23.9 787,418 38,172
South Africa 48,639 1,219,090 50 95 1,028 0.041 12.5 257,728 5,299
  • The Robert-Bourassa (LG-2) spillway, on Quebec's La Grande River.
    The Robert-Bourassa (LG-2) spillway, on Quebec's La Grande River.
  • Inside the Robert-Bourassa generating station powerhouse, the largest in North America with an installed capacity of 5,616 MW.
    Inside the Robert-Bourassa generating station powerhouse, the largest in North America with an installed capacity of 5,616 MW.
  • The Daniel-Johnson Dam, on Quebec's Manicouagan River (1968)
    The Daniel-Johnson Dam, on Quebec's Manicouagan River (1968)
  • The 230-MW Rocher-de-Grand-Mère station, on Quebec's Saint-Maurice River (2004)
    The 230-MW Rocher-de-Grand-Mère station, on Quebec's Saint-Maurice River (2004)
  • The 204-MW Rapide-Blanc generating station, on Quebec's Saint-Maurice River (1934)
    The 204-MW Rapide-Blanc generating station, on Quebec's Saint-Maurice River (1934)
  • A hydroelectric dam on the Arrow Lakes in British Columbia.
    A hydroelectric dam on the Arrow Lakes in British Columbia.

See also

References

  1. ^ https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f749e4b9399c80b5e421384/60c2207c71746c499c0cd297_2021%20Hydropower%20Status%20Report%20-%20International%20Hydropower%20Association%20Reduced%20file%20size.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-canada.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "Small Hydropower | Natural Resources Canada". Archived from the original on 2015-05-09. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
  4. ^ http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/hydropower_essentials.pdf Archived 2017-03-29 at the Wayback Machine graph pg3
  5. ^ Beam, Alex (August 21, 1996). "Eh? The Oxford Dictionary of Canadian English". Slate. Retrieved September 17, 2018. Even though Canadians cheerfully use nuclear power and don't whine about it, they talk of paying the 'hydro' (electricity) bill.
  6. ^ Laux, Sara (June 12, 2017). "7 words you'll only hear in Canada". Cottage Life. Blue Ant Media. Retrieved September 17, 2018. In many parts of Canada, 'hydro' refers to electricity
  7. ^ http://www.hydropower.org/publications/2020-hydropower-status-report pg45
  8. ^ "About Renewable Energy". Natural Resources Canada. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  9. ^ "Generation System". BC Hydro. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  10. ^ a b ergy_in_bc/our_system/generation.html BC Hydro Generation System[permanent dead link] Retrieved 2012-03-05
  11. ^ "Run of River Hydropower - EnergyBC".
  12. ^ "About Independent Power Projects". Archived from the original on 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  13. ^ "B.C. Hydro looks to protect fish as drought leaves some reservoirs at record-low levels". CBC News. October 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "Manitoba Hydro Annual Report 2017–18". www.hydro.mb.ca. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  15. ^ "Manitoba Hydro Annual Report 2017–18" (PDF). www.hydro.mb.ca. p. 34. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  16. ^ "Manitoba Hydro Annual Report 2017–18" (PDF). www.hydro.mb.ca. p. 27,42. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  17. ^ "The Main Electricity Sources in Canada by Province". EnergyRates.ca. 2018-11-30. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  18. ^ "Keeyask Generating Station".
  19. ^ https://keeyask.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/KPMU-Newsletter_SPRING-2022_web-final.pdf
  20. ^ https://vocm.com/2021/11/29/muskrat-falls-station/
  21. ^ "Generating Power with Purpose". Ontario Power Generation.
  22. ^ Talaga, Tanya (3 September 2009). "Ontario shuts 4 coal-fired units". The Star. Toronto.
  23. ^ "Ontario's Long-Term Energy Plan" (PDF). Government of Ontario. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  24. ^ "OPG'S NANTICOKE STATION STOPS BURNING COAL" (PDF). Ontario Power Generation. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-01-16. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  25. ^ McClearn, Matthew (February 13, 2023). "Ontario Power Generation urges province to move ahead with new power projects". The Globe and Mail.
  26. ^ "IESO Annual Planning Report 2022: Ontario's Electricity System Needs: 2024–2043". Toronto: Independent Electricity System Operator. 28 December 2022 [December 2022].
  27. ^ "Provincial-Territorial Energy Profiles". Government of Canada (which owns "cer-rec.gc.ca").
  28. ^ Smith, Todd (January 28, 2022). "Letter from the Ministry of Energy" (PDF).
  29. ^ "Development of a Clean Energy Credit Registry". Government of Canada (which owns "ontario.ca"). August 2, 2022.
  30. ^ Made in Ontario Northern Hydroelectric Opportunities: Securing a Clean Energy Future Through Hydropower (PDF). Toronto: Ontario Power Generation Inc. November 2022.
  31. ^ 2011. Project Description of Little Jackfish Hydroelectric Development. Retrieved from: https://littlejackfish.com/supporting_docs.html
  32. ^ "Reply to: Hydroelectric and Its 'Pathway to Decarbonization'". Ontario River Alliance. 23 February 2023.
  33. ^ Maeck A, DelSontro T, McGinnis DF, Fischer H, Flury S, Schmidt M, Fietzek P, Lorke A (June 25, 2013). "Sediment trapping by dams creates methane emission hot spots". Environmental Science & Technology. 47 (15): 8130–8137. doi:10.1021/es4003907.
  34. ^ "Facts - Canadian Hydropower. Electricity that is clean, renewable and reliable". Canadian Hydropower. Electricity that is clean, renewable and reliable. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  35. ^ Hydro-Québec (2007). "Hydro-Québec's Electricity Facts: Energy Supplies and Air Emissions" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  36. ^ Hydro-Québec. Hydro Quebec: Annual Report, 2013 (PDF). Montreal.
  37. ^ "At a Glance".
  38. ^ Canadian Government. "Renewable freshwater resources, water use and gross domestic product for selected countries". Statistics Canada.

Further reading

  • Desbiens, Caroline. Power from the North: Territory, Identity, and the Culture of Hydroelectricity in Quebec (2014)
  • Froschauer, Karl. White gold: Hydroelectric Power in Canada. (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1999) excerpt and text search
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