Market Snapshot: Canadian Electricity Export Revenue Rebound Continues in 2014

Release date: 2015-03-12

In 2014, Canada exported 59.1 terawatt hours of electricity, a six per cent decrease from 2013 when exports were at an all-time high. For the most part, provinces that export large amounts of electricity are those with predominantly hydro-based generation.

Despite smaller export volumes in 2014, gross export revenue increased by 20 per cent. The majority of the revenue increase was recorded in the first quarter of 2014, which coincides with the cold weather in the main export markets and high gas prices. A recent wholesale power price report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which compared electricity prices between 2013 and 2014, shows an increase in price at many of the U.S. electricity trading hubs. In 2014, Canadian exporters received $49.94 per megawatt hour compared to $39.30 per megawatt hour in 2013.

Electricity imports declined between 2010 and 2013. However, in 2014, Canada imported 12.8 terawatt hours of electricity, up by 20 per cent from a year earlier. Although British Columbia continues to export large amounts of electricity, the province was a net-importer in both 2013 and 2014. In 2014, electricity imports to British Columbia accounted for 76 per cent of Canadian imports. In addition, compared to 2013, electricity imports to Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario also increased.

Date modified:

2023-11-28