Dams, pipelines, power plants, and transmission systems powering Canada
Canada's energy infrastructure spans vast distances, connecting resource-rich regions to population centers. From hydroelectric dams to nuclear facilities, oil pipelines to transmission grids, this infrastructure represents centuries of engineering innovation and billion-dollar investments. Understanding these systems is essential to comprehending Canadian energy and economic development.
542 facilities nationwide
Major installations include Churchill Falls (5,428 MW), James Bay complex (16,000 MW), W.A.C. Bennett Dam (2,730 MW), and Sir Adam Beck stations at Niagara Falls. These facilities harness water power through turbines, providing clean baseload electricity.
19 CANDU reactors
Bruce Power (world's largest nuclear facility), Pickering, Darlington, and Point Lepreau reactors generate 15% of Canadian electricity. CANDU technology uses natural uranium and heavy water, offering unique operational advantages.
840,000+ km total length
Extensive networks transport oil, natural gas, and refined products from production sites to refineries, export terminals, and end users. Major systems include Enbridge mainline, Trans Mountain, TC Energy pipelines, and regional distribution networks.
160,000+ km high-voltage lines
Provincial grids connect generation to consumption centers, with interprovincial ties enabling power trading. Smart grid technologies, advanced sensors, and AI optimize flows while accommodating variable renewable generation.
Multiple projects underway
Liquefied natural gas export facilities connect Canadian gas to global markets. LNG Canada in Kitimat represents the country's first large-scale export terminal, with expansion potential and additional projects proposed on both coasts.
300+ wind farms
Utility-scale renewable installations include Cypress Wind (400 MW), Rivière-du-Moulin (350 MW), and hundreds of smaller facilities. Solar farms up to 100 MW supplement distributed rooftop systems nationwide.
Learn about the resources these systems deliver and technologies advancing their capabilities.