Hydropower in Canada

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Hydropower in Canada Perspectives and
Challenges Ontario Waterpower Association Niagara
Falls, Ontario November 9, 2004

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Hydropower Facts

• Principal source of clean, low-emitting and
  renewable energy in the world (92)
• Canada is one of the worlds biggest hydropower
  producers (13 of global output)

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Hydropower Facts

• 60 of electricity production in Canada
• 475 hydropower plants - 233 gt 10 MW representing
  circa 99 of capacity
• 69,205 MW of installed capacity (2002)
• 118,000 MW technical potential
• Greatest amounts in Québec, British Columbia,
  Ontario, Newfoundland-Labrador, Manitoba

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Hydropower Facts

• Canada is the worlds second largest electricity
  exporter and over 60 of exported electricity is
  generated by hydropower
• Total electricity export revenue for all of
  Canada for the 2002 calendar year 1.8 billion

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The Hydropower Advantage

• 100 years of experience
• Renewable, low-emitting source of energy
• Energy-efficient and cost-effective
• Low operational costs and long life span
• Stable and reliable electricity grid

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The Hydropower Advantage

• Unique operational flexibility (storage)
• Can provide base load and peak
• Best source to support the development of other
  renewables such as wind, solar, and run-of-river
  hydropower
• Has overwhelming public support (Environics,
  Léger marketing, Bisconti)

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Despite,obvious economic and environmental
benefits, strong public support, and significant
potential, hydropowers share of the electricity
mix keeps falling could diminish to 45 by
2020. Why?
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Challenges

• Environmental assessment process
• Fisheries Act no net loss
• Time frames and costs
• No recognition in schemes like Ecologo
• Insufficient recognition as green

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Success Factors for Development

• Streamlined and harmonized environmental
  assessments
• Improved CFA processes
• Appropriate price signals
• Incentives for large and small projects

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Success Factors for Development

• Government recognition of hydropower as green
• More communication and collaboration with
  environmental groups
• Involvement with aboriginal communities

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Success Factors for Development

• And a strong industry association!
• CHA represents 40 corporate members (producers,
  manufacturers, developers, engineering firms,
  organizations, individuals)
• More than 95 of the hydropower capacity in
  Canada
• Strong network

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What We Do

• Advocate for hydropower development and for a
  context favouring new development
• Identify, monitor and address issues that have an
  impact on our industry
• Develop position papers to address these issues

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What We Do

• Collect and disseminate current information about
  hydropower in Canada (fact sheets, Web site,
  forum)
• Form strategic alliances with other organizations
  (ECC, CEA, NHA, IHA, CanWea, CanSia, ACEC)

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What We Do

• OWA and CHA collaborate and exchange information
• Opportunities for more extensive collaboration
  with provincial association on common issues,
  e.g. environmental assessment process

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The Canadian Hydropower Association Clean,
renewable energy for today and tomorrow