Spillway of a hydro electric dam in the Rocky Mountains of Canada
Canada’s massive hydro potential to remain elusive
Despite its southern neighbour seeking new sources of low-carbon power, further expansion of Canadian hydropower is unlikely to be competitive
The Canadian government views the Biden administration’s plan to achieve a carbon-free grid by 2035 as opening the door to substantially greater hydropower exports to the US, with environment minister Jonathan Wilkinson referring to it as “a big economic opportunity” in February. Canada is the second largest hydropower producer in the world, with 81GW of installed capacity and the potential to more than double that figure, according to Ottawa-based trade group Waterpower Canada. Canadian hydro accounts for 60pc of national electricity generation, while also holding significant market share in several US regions: 17pc of New England, 12pc of Midwest states and 5pc of New York. “Many of
Also in this section
21 November 2024
E&P company is charting its own course through the transition, with a highly focused natural gas portfolio, early action on its own emissions and the development of a major carbon storage project
21 November 2024
Maintaining a competitive edge means the transformation must maximise oil resources as well as make strategic moves with critical minerals
20 November 2024
Recent project approvals have yielded millions of carbon credits linked to the plugging of the US' abandoned wells
20 November 2024
The oil behemoth recognises the need to broaden its energy mix to reduce both environmental and economic risks
