The Trend and Regional Pattern of Fuel Used and Electricity Generated in Thermo-Eiectric Stations Operated by the Canadian Electric Utility lndustry

CIM Bulletin, 1966

This study has been developed to illustrate the trend and pattern of distribution applying to the quantities and costs of the fossil fuels used, and the related amounts of electricity generated, in the thermal segment of the Canadian electric utility industry. Traditionally, Canada's requirements for electric energy have been preponderantly met by hydraulic power. The need for augmented supplies of thermally generated power has mainly developed since the close of World War Il-in an era that has seen drastic decline in the production of indigenous coal and buoyant expansion in the supply of oil and natural gas. Although coal currently is faced with serious competition from the fluid fuels, the utility industry in particular promises an advancing market for coal, because of its abundant resource, at pries less likely to show sharp increase. For Canada as a whole, this trend has been progressive since 1959, and, unbelievable as it may now seem, the extent of the advance by 1975, particularly in Ontario and the Prairie Provinces, may weil be as much, or even more, than the present rate of consumption for or purposes. The text and the tables and charts are arranged to focus attention on: the growth of thermal genera ting capability; the historical trend in consumption of fuel and the related production of electricity; patterns of distribution by types of fuel and thermal capacity; the relationship of steam to other sources of thermal capacity; and the quantities, costs and related percentages of electricity generated by types and kinds of fuel used, both regionally and provincially.

Keywords: BTU, Coleman Coal, kWh, Provisonal Data) Natural Gas, Western Canada, Canada, Capacity, Coal, Cost, Costs, Electricity, Fuel, Fuels, Oil, Oils