Over the last year, from December 2024 to November 2025, electricity consumption in Canada has prominently featured low-carbon sources, which contributed to approximately 79% of the total electricity production. Hydropower remains the leading source of electricity, accounting for almost 55%—more than half—of the total. Following hydro, nuclear power contributes a significant portion of almost 13%, which reinforces the role of established clean energy technologies in Canada. Wind energy also presents its contribution at around 8%. Solar and biofuels, while still present, account for a much smaller share at roughly 1.4% and 1.8% respectively. On the other hand, fossil energy sources make up about 21% of electricity production, with gas being the largest contributor among them at 16%, while coal accounts for close to 4%.
Data sources used on this page include IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Canada?
Examining the trends in electricity consumption, the latest figures show that electricity generation per person in Canada is approximately 15,640 kWh. This is a substantial decrease from the peak recorded back in 2000, which was around 19,600 kWh per person, indicating a drop of nearly 4,000 kWh. Unfortunately, this trend mirrors the reduction in low-carbon electricity generation, which has dropped roughly 2,900 kWh per person compared to its 1996 record. These declines are concerning in an era where there is an increasing need for more electricity to support electrification efforts across various sectors and to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Suggestions
To drive future growth in clean electricity and elevate Canada’s sustainable energy profile, expanding current low-carbon technologies is crucial. Nuclear power, already a hefty contributor, could see strategic expansions modeled after successful examples such as France and Slovakia, where nuclear forms approximately 70% and 66% of electricity, respectively. Similarly, solar power has significant potential, and Canada could draw inspiration from regions like Nevada and Lebanon, where solar accounts for around 33% and 31% of their electricity mixes. To further enhance wind power, examples from Iowa and Denmark, where wind constitutes around 60% and 58% respectively, can serve as effective models. By emulating these successful strategies, Canada could substantially bolster its green energy portfolio, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing environmental sustainability.
History
Historically, Canada's electricity generation has seen varied shifts, particularly in low-carbon sources. The late 1970s and early 1980s were marked by significant increases in hydroelectric capacity. For instance, the years 1978 and 1984 saw hydro contributions grow by approximately 15 TWh and 20 TWh, respectively. The 1990s observed nuclear capacity expanding, with notable contributions in 1993 and 1994 at about 13 TWh each. However, the 2000s brought more instability, with considerable fluctuations in hydro, while nuclear continued to increase until the mid-2000s. It's crucial to highlight how the alarming decline in hydro, particularly the reduction by over 36.6 TWh in 2023, underscores the necessity for stable and increased investment in low-carbon energy sources, especially nuclear, so that Canada can continue to lead in sustainable electricity generation.
