Canada's Electricity Imports Soar due to Prolonged Dry Conditions

Canada's electricity exports fell 57 percent to 2 million MWh and this marked the second consecutive month when imports were higher than exports, as well as both the highest level of imports and the lowest level of exports, the national statistical agency noted.

Total Canadian electricity generation fell 9.2 percent year over year in March to 51.9 million MWh, the ninth month of year-over-year decreases in the last ten months. The decline was primarily attributable to a 17.9 percent drop in hydroelectric generation, which totalled 29.5 million MWh in March, according to the agency.

Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba, provinces which rely heavily on hydroelectric generation, continued to be afflicted by prolonged dry conditions, the agency said.

Quebec is usually Canada's single largest electricity exporter, but the province's exports have been reduced significantly in the last year due to a sharp drop in water inflows to hydroelectric reservoirs.

In March, Quebec's exports were down 83.7 percent year over year. Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and British Columbia also contributed to the drop. The jump in imports in March was primarily attributable to British Columbia, which accounted for 60.8 percent of all electricity imports.

According to the Canadian Drought Monitor, currently nearly 70 percent of the country was classified as abnormally dry or in moderate to exceptional drought.

4155/v