How do we use Hydroelectricity

The first use of water to produce electricity was for a wheel built by the Ottawa Electric Light Company at Chaudieres Falls in 1881. It was used to power streetlights.

Approximately 475 hydroelectric generating plants across the country produce an average of 355 terawatt-hours per year — one terawatt-hour represents enough electricity to heat and power 40,000 houses.

Canada generates most of its electricity with water for five main reasons:

1. Water is abundant.

2. The technology is efficient.

3. The service life of stations is long.

4. The cost is competitive.

5. The electricity produced is renewable and clean.

The top-producing provinces are Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador, with more than 95 percent of the total hydropower generation in Canada.