Energy Facts

Energy is critically important to the Canadian economy as Canada is among the largest energy producers and the highest per-capita energy consumers in the world.

Learn more about Canada’s energy makes

Crude oil key facts

  • Canada is the world’s third largest crude oil exporter
  • 97% of Canada’s proven oil reserves are located in the oil sands
  • GHG emissions per barrel of oil produced in the oil sands in 2015 was 35% less than in 1990

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Petroleum products key facts

  • Petroleum products are derived from crude oils
  • Canadian refineries produce 1.9 million barrels of petroleum products per day
  • Canadians consumed 105 billion litres of refined petroleum products in 2016

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Hydrocarbon gas liquids key facts

  • Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) include natural gas liquids (NGLs) (propane, butane, and ethane) and olefins
  • In 2016, Canada exported 133.4 thousand barrels of HGLs per day
  • NGLs are used for residential and commercial heating, cooking fuel, blending with vehicle fuel, diluent for heavy oil and bitumen, and for the production of fertilizers

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Natural gas key facts

  • Natural gas is composed primarily of methane and may contain varying amounts of natural gas liquids (ethane, propane, butane, and pentane) and non-energy components
  • Canada is the fourth largest producer and fourth largest exporter of natural gas

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Electricity key facts

  • 65% of Canada’s electricity comes from renewable sources and 80% from non-GHG emitting sources
  • Canada is the world’s second largest producer of hydroelectricity
  • Canada exports nearly 11% of the electricity it generates to the United States

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Renewable energy key facts

  • Renewable energy is generated from solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower and ocean resources, solid biomass, biogas and liquid biofuels
  • Wind and solar photovoltaic energy are the fastest growing sources of electricity in Canada
  • 18.1% of Canada’s energy comes from renewables

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Uranium key facts

  • Uranium is a metal that is mined, milled, refined, converted, and finally used to fuel nuclear power generation
  • Canada is the world’s second largest producer and exporter of uranium
  • Nuclear power plants generate about 15% of Canada’s electricity

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Coal key facts

  • Coal is a mineral deposit rich in carbon
  • Canada exported 30 megatonnes (Mt) of coal and imported 6 Mt in 2016
  • In 2016, the Government of Canada announced its plan to eliminate the use of traditional coal fired electricity in Canada by 2030

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