Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in Canada
Canada: Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels was 23.0% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in Canada, 1985–2025
Source: Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in Canada is 23.0%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 10.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in Canada peaked at 28.9% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 18.1%, in 1986.
Canada ranks 169th of 213 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 41 years of available data.
Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in Canada, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 20.3% | — |
| 1986 | 18.1% | -10.8% |
| 1987 | 20.2% | +12.0% |
| 1988 | 22.3% | +10.4% |
| 1989 | 25.0% | +12.1% |
| 1990 | 22.5% | -10.0% |
| 1991 | 21.9% | -2.7% |
| 1992 | 22.9% | +4.4% |
| 1993 | 20.7% | -9.6% |
| 1994 | 20.3% | -2.0% |
| 1995 | 21.1% | +4.2% |
| 1996 | 20.2% | -4.2% |
| 1997 | 23.0% | +13.8% |
| 1998 | 26.6% | +15.4% |
| 1999 | 25.8% | -3.0% |
| 2000 | 27.4% | +6.4% |
| 2001 | 28.9% | +5.5% |
| 2002 | 27.5% | -4.9% |
| 2003 | 28.5% | +3.6% |
| 2004 | 26.7% | -6.4% |
| 2005 | 25.2% | -5.5% |
| 2006 | 24.1% | -4.3% |
| 2007 | 25.5% | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 23.7% | -7.1% |
| 2009 | 22.8% | -3.7% |
| 2010 | 24.1% | +5.7% |
| 2011 | 23.3% | -3.4% |
| 2012 | 21.8% | -6.3% |
| 2013 | 21.0% | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 21.3% | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 20.9% | -2.1% |
| 2016 | 20.3% | -2.5% |
| 2017 | 19.2% | -5.8% |
| 2018 | 19.3% | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 19.3% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 18.5% | -3.9% |
| 2021 | 19.2% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 18.8% | -1.8% |
| 2023 | 20.8% | +10.6% |
| 2024 | 22.3% | +7.2% |
| 2025 | 23.0% | +3.2% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 23.0% is below the median for high income countries, which is 60.0%, 38% of the median. (75 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 21.2% | 18.1% | 25.0% | 5 |
| 1990s | 22.5% | 20.2% | 26.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 26.0% | 22.8% | 28.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 21.0% | 19.2% | 24.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.4% | 18.5% | 23.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More energy & mining data for Canada
- Primary energy from fossil nuclear renewables, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fuel imports 6.1% (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 3.5% (2025)
- Fuel exports 26.7% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 7.6% (2025)
- Gas production 2,062 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 51,394 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,062 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 51,394 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in Canada?
- Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in Canada was 23.0% in 2025, according to Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of electricity generation from fossil fuels recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 28.9% in 2001.
- What is the lowest share of electricity generation from fossil fuels recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.1% in 1986.
- How does Canada rank for share of electricity generation from fossil fuels?
- Canada ranks 169th out of 213 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of electricity generation from fossil fuels rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Electricity generation from coal, oil, and gas, measured as a percentage of total electricity produced in the country or region.