Canada’s global ranking in renewable energy generation – NEB
Global ranking
Canada ranking 20th in global share of electricity generation from wind in 2015
Canada is a world leader in hydroelectric generation, according to the National Energy Board, which may explain why it lags in other forms of renewable energy.
Nine countries generate at least half of their electricity from hydropower. In 2015, Canada generated 61 per cent of its electricity from hydro resources, ranking third globally behind only Brazil (62%) and Norway (95%).
Much of Canada’s hydropower comes from B.C., Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador which all generate more than 85 per cent of their power from hydro sources.
In absolute terms, Canada generated about 10 per cent of world hydroelectricity in 2015, second only to China.
Canada does not rank as a global leader in other types of renewable power generation, however.
In 2015, Canada was 20th in its share of electricity generation from wind, 30th in its share from solar power, and 39th in its share from geothermal and biomass.
Denmark led the world rankings in wind energy, which accounted for half of its total electricity generation in 2015.
For solar power, Italy had the highest share worldwide (9 per cent of its total generation).
For biomass and geothermal, New Zealand led the world (19 per cent share of its total generation).
Canada’s Adoption of Renewable Power Sources outlines the numerous factors affecting the types of, and adoption rates for, renewable power technologies.
Major factors include:
- Average lifetime costs, and their impact on both producers and consumers.
- Reliability, as system operators are mandated to ensure that supply meets demand at all times.
- Environmental effects, including greenhouse gas emissions from generation and installation as well as more localized ecological impacts.
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