ENERGY.ARCHIVE.CA
BUILDING CANADA'S POWER GRID
Discover the complex networks of power generation facilities, transmission lines, distribution systems, and emerging smart grid technologies that deliver reliable electricity to millions of Canadians across vast geographic expanses and diverse climates.
INFRASTRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Canada operates one of the world's most extensive and sophisticated electrical systems, spanning 160,000+ kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines, connecting isolated communities in the Arctic to dense urban centers, and enabling cross-border electricity trade with the United States. Our infrastructure represents over $300 billion in capital investments developed across more than a century of technological evolution, from early municipal systems to today's interconnected smart grids integrating renewable generation, energy storage, and demand response capabilities.
GENERATION FACILITIES
Canada's hydroelectric fleet comprises over 550 facilities ranging from massive multi-unit complexes generating thousands of megawatts to small run-of-river installations serving local communities. These facilities harness the gravitational potential energy of water descending through turbines, converting kinetic energy into electrical power with efficiencies exceeding 90%. Storage reservoirs provide flexibility to match generation with demand patterns, effectively functioning as enormous batteries storing energy as elevated water.
Location: James Bay, Quebec
Capacity: 5,616 MW (16 turbines)
Commissioned: 1979-1981
Reservoir: Caniapiscau, 139 TWh storage
Facts: Underground powerhouse, 137-meter head, supplies Montreal and exports to New England
Location: Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador
Capacity: 5,428 MW (11 turbines)
Commissioned: 1971
Facts: Underground facility 300 meters deep, diverts Churchill River, controversial power purchase agreement with Quebec
Location: Peace River, British Columbia
Capacity: 2,730 MW
Commissioned: 1968
Reservoir: Williston Lake (1,761 km²)
Facts: Largest earth-fill dam in North America, created BC's largest lake
Location: Columbia River, British Columbia
Capacity: 2,480 MW (including upgrade)
Commissioned: 1984, Unit 5 added 2011
Facts: Concrete gravity dam, 175-meter height, part of Columbia River Treaty system
Canada's nuclear infrastructure leverages domestically-developed CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactor technology recognized globally for safety, efficiency, and fuel flexibility. These facilities provide reliable baseload electricity generation operating continuously except during planned maintenance outages. Multi-billion-dollar refurbishment programs extend reactor lifetimes by 30+ years, maintaining critical low-carbon generation capacity supporting provincial climate goals while creating thousands of skilled trades and engineering positions.
Location: Tiverton, Ontario (Lake Huron)
Units: 8 CANDU reactors
Capacity: 6,430 MW
Output: 48 TWh annually (30% of Ontario electricity)
Status: Largest operating nuclear facility globally
Facts: Refurbishment program extending life to 2064, employs 4,000+
Location: Clarington, Ontario (Lake Ontario)
Units: 4 CANDU reactors
Capacity: 3,512 MW
Commissioned: 1990-1993
Refurbishment: $12.8 billion program 2016-2026
Future: SMR demonstration project planned
Location: Pickering, Ontario (Lake Ontario)
Units: 6 operating CANDU reactors
Capacity: 3,094 MW
Commissioned: 1971-1986
Status: Commercial operation extending to 2024-2025
Legacy: First commercial CANDU station, over 50 years operation
Location: Point Lepreau, New Brunswick
Units: Single CANDU reactor
Capacity: 660 MW
Output: ~30% of New Brunswick electricity
Refurbishment: Completed 2012, life extended to 2040s
Facts: Only nuclear station in Maritime provinces
Thermal generation facilities combust fossil fuels or biomass to produce steam driving turbine-generator sets. While coal-fired generation rapidly declines across Canada (with complete phase-out targets by 2030), natural gas plants provide flexible generation complementing variable renewable resources. Modern combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants achieve thermal efficiencies exceeding 60% by capturing waste heat for additional electricity production. Biomass and waste-to-energy facilities offer renewable thermal generation options utilizing local fuel sources.
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Type: Combined-cycle natural gas
Capacity: 860 MW
Efficiency: 61% thermal efficiency
Features: Cogeneration capability, flexible ramping, emissions 65% lower than coal
Location: Prince Edward Island
Type: Natural gas combined-cycle
Capacity: 99 MW
Features: Backup generation for wind-heavy grid, rapid response capability
Location: Atikokan, Ontario
Type: Biomass (converted from coal)
Capacity: 200 MW
Fuel: Sustainable forestry biomass
Achievement: First coal-to-biomass conversion in North America
Location: Port Moody, British Columbia
Type: Natural gas (standby)
Status: Reserve capacity for system emergencies
Historical: Former baseload plant, now minimal operation
Wind farms, solar installations, biomass plants, and emerging technologies like tidal energy diversify Canada's generation portfolio while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These distributed generation resources often locate closer to load centers, reducing transmission losses and enhancing grid resilience. Community-scale projects enable local ownership and economic participation in energy systems. Advanced forecasting, control systems, and energy storage integration optimize renewable generation performance and grid compatibility.
Location: Vulcan County, Alberta
Type: Solar photovoltaic
Capacity: 465 MW
Area: 3,330 acres
Output: Powers 100,000+ homes
Significance: Largest solar facility in Western Canada
Location: Saguenay, Quebec
Type: Wind power
Capacity: 350 MW
Turbines: 175 units
Output: 1,000+ GWh annually
Partner: Innergex Renewable Energy
Location: Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
Type: Tidal energy research
Resource: Highest tides globally (16m range)
Potential: 2,500 MW extractable capacity
Status: Testing platform for tidal turbines
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Type: Solar photovoltaic
Capacity: 97 MW (historical peak)
Legacy: Canada's first large-scale solar farm
Impact: Demonstrated utility-scale solar viability
TRANSMISSION NETWORKS
Canada's transmission infrastructure moves electricity across provinces and international borders through an interconnected network of high-voltage lines operating at voltages from 69 kV to 765 kV. These systems enable electricity trade, resource sharing during emergencies, and integration of remote renewable generation. Provincial utilities including Hydro-Québec, Hydro One, BC Hydro, Manitoba Hydro, and SaskPower maintain extensive networks requiring continuous monitoring, maintenance, and strategic expansion to accommodate growing demand and renewable energy integration.
High-voltage DC (HVDC) transmission systems including Châteauguay, Des Cantons, and Madawaska links export Quebec hydroelectric power to northeastern United States markets. Total capacity exceeds 2,000 MW with voltage levels reaching ±450 kV. New England Clean Energy Connect project (under development) adds 1,200 MW transmission capacity delivering clean hydro power supporting Massachusetts and Connecticut renewable energy targets. These interconnections generate billions in export revenues while reducing regional carbon emissions.
International TradeBritish Columbia and Alberta participate in the Western Interconnection spanning from western Canada through western United States to Baja California. This synchronized AC grid enables electricity trade between provinces and states, enhancing reliability and economic efficiency. BC's hydroelectric resources complement Alberta's thermal and wind generation. Major transmission corridors include 500 kV lines connecting Vancouver to interior BC and Alberta-BC Interties facilitating cross-border power flows. Expansion projects address renewable energy integration and electrification trends.
Regional IntegrationManitoba Hydro exports clean hydroelectric power to United States Midwest markets through multiple interconnections including 230 kV and 500 kV AC transmission lines and HVDC converters at Dorsey Station. The Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project and Great Northern Transmission Line enhance export capacity supporting regional decarbonization. These systems move power generated from Nelson River hydroelectric developments to load centers in Winnipeg and export markets, generating revenue supporting Manitoba's low domestic electricity rates.
Clean ExportThe 500 MW Maritime Link HVDC transmission system connects Newfoundland and Labrador to Nova Scotia via underwater cables across Cabot Strait. This infrastructure enables Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project to export power to maritime markets while providing Nova Scotia with clean renewable energy supporting coal phase-out commitments. The project demonstrates engineering excellence navigating challenging marine environments and harsh weather conditions. Benefits include enhanced grid reliability, renewable energy access, and interprovincial cooperation.
Maritime ConnectionSMART GRID TECHNOLOGY
Smart grid technologies transform traditional electricity systems into intelligent networks optimizing generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption through digital communication, advanced sensors, automated controls, and data analytics. Canadian utilities invest billions in smart grid infrastructure including advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), distribution automation, demand response programs, energy storage integration, electric vehicle charging management, and cybersecurity systems protecting critical infrastructure from evolving threats.
Over 14 million smart meters deployed across Canadian provinces provide hourly or sub-hourly consumption data enabling time-of-use pricing, remote service connections, outage detection, and conservation feedback. Ontario's smart meter rollout (completed 2012) covered 4.8 million homes and businesses. BC Hydro, Hydro-Québec, SaskPower, and other utilities followed with comprehensive deployments. Benefits include improved billing accuracy, reduced operational costs, enhanced customer engagement, and foundation for distributed energy resource management.
Automated distribution systems use sensors, switches, and control algorithms to detect faults, isolate problems, and restore service without human intervention. These technologies reduce outage durations (SAIDI) and frequency (SAIFI), improving reliability metrics. Utilities deploy thousands of automated switchgear units, reclosers, and capacitor banks managed by distribution management systems (DMS). Integration with geographic information systems (GIS) enhances situational awareness and crew dispatch efficiency during outages and maintenance activities.
Grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) provide frequency regulation, voltage support, renewable integration, and capacity services. Projects include Ontario's Oneida BESS (250 MW, one of world's largest), Alberta's multiple grid-connected batteries supporting renewable generation, and numerous utility-scale and behind-the-meter installations. Technologies include lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, compressed air energy storage, and future hydrogen storage systems. Storage enables greater renewable penetration while maintaining grid stability and reliability.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure expands rapidly with federal and provincial programs supporting public charging stations, workplace charging, and residential installations. Utilities develop managed charging programs optimizing when vehicles charge to reduce grid stress and maximize renewable energy utilization. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot projects explore using EV batteries for grid services including frequency regulation and demand response. Standards development, interoperability testing, and rate design innovations support transportation electrification supporting climate goals.
Access detailed technical specifications, engineering studies, and infrastructure development plans for Canadian energy systems.