Hydroelectric power in Canada
Encyclopedia
Canada
is the world's second largest producer of hydroelectricity
in the world (after China
), and one of few countries to generate the majority of its electricity from hydroelectricity (59% in 2006). In 2007, Canada produced 368.2 terawatt-hours of electricity using hydroelectric dams, 11.7% of all the hydroelectricity generated in the world.
Some provinces and territories, such as Quebec
, Manitoba
, Newfoundland and Labrador
and Yukon
, produce over 90% of their electricity in this manner.
's extensive network of 59 hydroelectric dams have a combined capacity of 34,118 megawatts, accounting for nearly half of the Canadian total. Hydropower accounts for 92.33% of the supply sold by the Quebec
state-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.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
is the world's second largest producer of hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
in the world (after China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
), and one of few countries to generate the majority of its electricity from hydroelectricity (59% in 2006). In 2007, Canada produced 368.2 terawatt-hours of electricity using hydroelectric dams, 11.7% of all the hydroelectricity generated in the world.
Some provinces and territories, such as Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
and Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
, produce over 90% of their electricity in this manner.
Quebec
Hydro-QuébecHydro-Québec
Hydro-Québec is a government-owned public utility established in 1944 by the Government of Quebec. Based in Montreal, the company is in charge of the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity across Quebec....
's extensive network of 59 hydroelectric dams have a combined capacity of 34,118 megawatts, accounting for nearly half of the Canadian total. Hydropower accounts for 92.33% of the supply sold by the Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
state-owned
Government-owned corporation
A government-owned corporation, state-owned company, state-owned entity, state enterprise, publicly owned corporation, government business enterprise, or parastatal is a legal entity created by a government to undertake commercial activities on behalf of an owner government...
utility
Public utility
A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service . Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and regulation ranging from local community-based groups to state-wide government monopolies...
. 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.