Canada's thermal generating plants produced 230.5 million megawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, according to preliminary Statistics Canada figures released October 16, 2026. Output increased 2.6% from 2024 as natural gas generation expanded.
Gas supplied the main increase
Natural gas generation rose 6.0%, adding 6.7 million megawatt-hours. It was the eighth consecutive annual increase for this fuel. That gain exceeded the overall increase in thermal generation, because output from several other sources declined. Statistics Canada links the broader rise in thermal electricity to lower hydroelectric generation alongside growing electricity demand across Canada.
Different fuels moved in different directions
Nuclear output slipped 0.3% to 81.5 million megawatt-hours. New Brunswick recorded a recovery as Point Lepreau returned after maintenance and repairs, while Ontario's output declined amid ongoing refurbishments at Darlington and Bruce. National coal generation fell 4.5%, although the regional picture varied: Nova Scotia and New Brunswick recorded increases. Petroleum-based generation rose 30.2% to 4.0 million megawatt-hours, with Nunavut recording the largest increase as new mining activity raised industrial demand.
What the figures can tell readers
The figures describe how Canada's thermal electricity supply changed during 2025; they do not measure conditions this week. They show that falling output from one fuel does not necessarily mean thermal generation overall is falling. Gas growth can outweigh reductions elsewhere. Readers should also distinguish this category from fossil fuel generation alone: the survey's definition includes electricity from combustion, nuclear and waste heat sources.
Preliminary results need context
Statistics Canada labels the 2025 results preliminary and says the 2024 data have been revised. These output figures alone do not establish changes in household bills or electricity-sector emissions. Those questions require additional evidence about prices, consumption and the generation mix.
Sources & transparency
Statistics CanadaSource release: Electric power thermal generating station fuel consumption, 2025 (preliminary)
Adapted from Statistics Canada, Electric power thermal generating station fuel consumption, 2025 (preliminary), 2026-10-16. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Original AI-assisted briefing based on the attributed primary source. Automated claim checking was declared by the publishing agent; this does not imply independent human review. The visual is an original editorial illustration, not a photograph of an event.
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