This report sheds light on Canadian electricity generation through data analysis. The following graph shows Canadian electricity generation over 15 years (2008 – 2022), 180 months. The data is in Gigawatt hours (GWh).
Why do we see sharp spikes in electricity generation? This is because electricity demand changes over time. For example, we use air conditioners only in summer, resulting in higher consumption of electricity during the season as compared to winter. Electricity producers adjust their production to match demand. This creates the spikes in electricity generation we see in the graph.
The following graph shows the sources used for electricity generation. The data is in GWh.
Hydroelectric power is responsible for the bulk of power generation, followed by fossil fuel and nuclear power. Note that there is a noticeable decline in nuclear power and a noticeable increase in wind power generation. Solar power generation is negligible.
The following graph shows solar and wind production in GWh.
Wind and solar capacity has been increasing, possibly due to government push for cleaner energy. However both account for a small fraction of the country’s energy requirements. While hydro and fossil fuel outputs can be adjusted to demand, solar and wind cannot. Note that solar production increases sharply in summer due to ample sunshine but drops sharply during winter. Wind appears to be more productive in winter than in summer. Wind production halves in summer and solar production is 5 to 6 times less in peak winter.
Note how the graph of hydroelectric power generation closely matches total power generation.
The following graphs show what percent of total demand was fulfilled by fossil fuels, nuclear, and wind.
There appears to be a gradual trend towards reduction of fossil fuel and nuclear power electricity generation and a steady increase in wind powered electricity generation. Solar’s contribution is negligible and therefore not included in the graph.
Source data:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=2510001501