Hydroelectricity 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.

[2] Some provinces and territories, such as British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Yukon produce over 90% of their electricity from Hydro.

In the Columbia River Basin, Mica and Revelstoke hydroelectric plants together contributed 25%, while Kootenay Canal and Seven Mile generating stations together supplied 10%.

[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.

[18][19] Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's installed generating capacity, 8,652 megawatts (MW), 92 percent hydroelectric, is the third largest of all utility companies in Canada.

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.

[21] After a provincial government commitment to phase out all coal generating plants, two units at Nanticoke were shut down in fall 2010.

[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.

[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.

[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] 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.