Canada increases biomass capacity, generation

A report issued by Canada’s National Energy Board shows that the country’s non-hydro renewable power capacity grew by more than 8 percent in 2016, adding nearly 1,300 MW of solar, biomass and wind-generated power.

According to the NEB’s report, Canada’s electricity generation was 66 percent renewable in 2016, with non-hydro renewables accounting for 7.2 percent and hydro accounting for 58.8 percent.

Canadian biomass capacity increased by 288 MW between 2015 and 2016, reaching 2,702 MW and accounting for 1.8 percent of total capacity in the country. Biomass generation also increased over the same time period, reaching 13,214 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2016, up from 12,511 GWh in 2015. According to the report, biomass accounted for 2 percent of Canadian electricity production in 2016, up from 1.9 percent the previous year. Ontario led the country in biomass capacity additions in 2016, with 188 MW placed into service.

In British Columbia, biomass was the second largest source of electricity, mainly consuming wood waste from the forestry, pulp and paper industries. The report shows biomass was used to generate 6,727 GWh, or 9 percent of total generation, in British Columbia during 2016. According to the report, this is the highest share of biomass in any province or territory. Biomass capacity increased by 21 MW between 2015 and 2016, reaching 907 MW and accounting for 5.1 percent of total electric production capacity.

In Alberta, biomass capacity remained level at 428 MW, accounting for 2.6 percent of total capacity, while biomass generation increased, reaching 2,201 GWh or 2.7 percent of total generation.

Biomass capacity and generation increased in Saskatchewan, with capacity increasing by 34 MW, reaching 36 MW, or 0.8 percent of total capacity. Biomass generation in Ontario also increased from zero in 2015 to 152 GWh in 2016, accounting for 0.6 percent of total generation.

In Manitoba, biomass capacity was maintained at 22 MW, accounting for 0.4 percent of total capacity, while generation increased decreased slightly, falling from 100 GWh in 2015 to 78 GWh in 2016 and accounting for 0.2 percent of total generation.

Biomass capacity in Ontario increased by 188 MW reaching 762 MW and accounting for 1.9 percent of total capacity. Biomass generation also increased, reaching 1,128 GWh and accounting for 0.7 percent of total generation.

In Quebec, biomass capacity increased by 30 MW, reaching 275 MW and accounting for 0.6 percent of capaacity, while generation increased slightly reaching 2,093 GWh and accounting for 1 percent of total generation.

Biomass capacity in New Brunswick increased was maintained at 127 MW, or 2.8 percent of total capacity, while biomass generation increased from 361 GWh in 2015 to 548 GWh in 2016, accounting for 3.6 percent of total generation.

Nova Scotia added 15 MW of biomass capacity in 2016, reaching 128 MW and accounting for 4.3 percent of total capacity. Biomass generation in Nova Scotia fell from 289 GWh in 2015 to 212 GWh in 2016, when it accounted for 2.2 percent of total generation.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, biomass capacity was maintained at 15 MW, or 0.7 percent of total capacity, while generation increased from zero in 2015 to 70 GWh in 2016, when it accounted for 0.5 percent of total generation.

In Prince Edward Island, biomass capacity increased was maintained at 2 MW, or 0.6 percent of capacity, with generation increasing slightly to 5 GWh and accounting for 0.9 percent of total generation.  

A full copy of the report can be downloaded from the NEB website.