Electricity supply and disposition, 2018
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Released: 2019-11-01
Electricity supply
The total generation of electricity in 2018 decreased by 1.4% to 640,087,117 megawatt-hours (MWh). A decline in hydro generation (-2.2%) was the main driver for this decline. Total generation of other renewable energy types increased, with gains in wind (+5.31%) and solar (+9.5%).
The largest declines in hydro generation were seen in Manitoba (-14.6%) and British Columbia (-7.1%). Hydro generation increased in both Newfoundland and Labrador (+14.5%) and Nova Scotia (+8.7%).
Electricity trade
Total imports of electricity increased 33.4% in 2018. Large increases in import volumes were noted in the western provinces. The largest volume increases in all of Canada occurred in British Columbia. Total exports of electricity decreased 14.8% in 2018. With electricity rate increases, the value of exports remained relatively flat (+0.5%). The largest decline in exports was attributable to British Columbia (-37.2%).
Electricity use
In volume terms, total sales of electricity to ultimate consumers increased 0.74% in 2018 to 494,801,780 MWh. Sales of electricity increased 2.1% to $47.1 million. All customer segments reported increases in sales volumes: residential (+2.8%), agriculture (+5.0%), mining and manufacturing (+2.7%), and other sales (+1.8%).
Note to readers
The Annual Electricity Supply and Disposition Survey provides data on the amount of electricity generated, interprovincial movements of electricity, imports, exports, and sales to final consumers.
Data from 2016 and 2017 have been revised.
The Annual Electricity Supply and Disposition Survey is now administered as part of Statistics Canada's Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). Detailed information about the IBSP is available from the Behind the data module of our website.
Contact information
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