For the first time in eight years, Canada imported more electricity from the United States than it exported amid a prolonged drought that reduced hydroelectric power production.
Statistics Canada reports that the country’s electricity production totaled 53.6 million megawatt hours (MWh) in February, down 4.9% compared to the same month last year, with average daily production lower by 8.2% year over year.
Canada imported 2.7 million MWh of electricity from the United States that month, slightly more than the 2.6 million MWh it exported. This is the first time electricity imports have exceeded exports since the federal agency changed the way it collects this data in 2016.
Imports were 124.1% above average for February 2024, while exports were 44.8% below average levels for the month.
According to Statistics Canada, drought across much of Canada led to a 12.5% year-over-year decline in hydroelectric production, leading to the overall decline in electricity production.
Quebec contributed the most to the year-over-year decrease in electricity exports, with 61.6% less than the same period in 2023.
Ontario’s exports decreased by 29.5% while those of New Brunswick fell by 49.9%, while imports to British Columbia increased by 46.6%.
The Canadian Energy Regulator says that each Canadian used an average of 15 MWh in 2019. Quebecers are in the lead with 24 MWh.