Industry Canada: Electric Power Statistics Released For March 2000

- Higher exports related to greater capability of hydroelectric generating stations more than offset warmer temperatures to cause an increase in electricity generation in March. Net generation of electricity increased to 50 159 gigawatt hours (GWh), up 3.6% from March 1999. Exports rose 64.1% to 3 842 GWh, and imports fell from 1 800 GWh to 1 035 GWh.

Improved reservoir levels in Quebec and Manitoba was the main reason for a of 8.7% of generation from hydro sources to 31 511 GWh. This is the eleventh consecutive month that hydro generation has grown. Increased generating capability led to higher exports, and warmer temperatures reduced domestic demand. Decreased capability in Ontario led to a 15.0% decline in generation from nuclear sources to 5 745 GWh. As a result, thermal conventional generation rose 1.8% to 12 903 GWh, mainly as a replacement for unavailable nuclear generating capacity. Year-to-date net generation at the end of March 2000 totalled 159 084 GWh, up 8.2% from the previous year. Year-to-date exports 11 789 GWh were up 79.3%, whereas year-to-date imports 2 326 GWh fell 55.6% from the previous year.