Energy supply and demand, 2015
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Released: 2017-01-16
Primary energy production in Canada decreased 0.2% in 2015 to 18,689 petajoules. This followed a 4.1% increase in 2014.
Crude oil accounted for the largest proportion of primary energy production in Canada in 2015 (45.3%), followed by natural gas (34.6%), primary electricity (9.3%), total coal (7.1%), and gas plant natural gas liquids (3.6%).
It was the sixth consecutive year in which crude oil accounted for the largest share of primary energy production.
Exports and imports increase
Exports of Canadian energy and energy products increased 3.0% in 2015 to 12,188 petajoules.
In 2015, 59.8% of primary energy produced in Canada was destined for export markets, primarily the United States.
Canada exported 81.9% of its crude oil production in 2015, and 47.4% of its marketable natural gas.
Imports of energy increased 1.2% in 2015 to 3,272 petajoules. Crude oil accounted for 53.1% of imports, followed by natural gas (23.5%). These two commodities accounted for more than three-quarters of energy-related imports.
Energy consumption decreases
Canada's energy consumption decreased 1.2% in 2015 to 8,156 petajoules, following a 1.6% increase in 2014.
Energy use decreased in four of six sectors: residential (-4.8%), commercial and other institutional (-1.6%), industrial (-0.4%) and transportation (-0.2%). Meanwhile, agriculture (+1.2%) and public administration (+0.05%) saw an increase in energy use.
Within the industrial sector, energy consumption increased in mining and oil and gas extraction (+4.3%), construction (+7.7%), and forestry and logging and support activities (+7.9%). It declined in manufacturing (-4.1%).
The share of transportation in 2015 continued to be dominated by energy consumption from retail pump sales of fuels (61.8%), followed by road transport and urban transit (16.2%) and airlines (9.3%). Pipelines accounted for 6.6% of energy consumption for transportation, while railways were responsible for 3.5%.
Refined petroleum products (38.7%) were the main source of energy consumed in Canada in 2015, followed by natural gas (35.8%) and electricity (22.1%).
Energy consumption trends across the country
Ontario, Alberta and Quebec continued to account for most of the energy consumed in Canada. In 2015, their combined share of total energy consumption was 74.7%.
Five provinces recorded decreases in energy consumption in 2015 compared with 2014. Manitoba (-5.8%) saw the greatest decline, followed by Alberta (-2.5%), Ontario (-1.7%), Quebec (-0.9%), and Saskatchewan (-0.3%).
Conversely, energy consumption increased in five provinces in 2015. Nova Scotia experienced the largest rise (+4.1%), followed by Prince Edward Island (+2.6%), British Columbia (+2.2%), New Brunswick (+1.4%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (+1.1%).
Note to readers
This release reflects substantial data revisions affecting several years.
Data for 2014 have been revised.
Propane data have been revised. Specifically, the data for inter-regional transfers, propane transformed to refined products, net refinery produced liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs), and manufacturing consumption have been revised for the years 2005 to 2014. Propane production has been revised for Alberta and Ontario for 2005 to 2014, Nova Scotia for 2013 and 2014, and Saskatchewan for 2012 to 2014. Propane non-energy use data have been revised for Saskatchewan for the years 2011 to 2014. As a result of these revisions, net supply and availability have been adjusted for the years 2005 to 2014.
Butane data have been revised. Specifically, the data for net refinery produced liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) and inter-regional transfers have been revised for the years 2005 to 2014. Production has been revised for Alberta and Ontario from 2005 to 2014, Nova Scotia for 2013 and 2014, and Saskatchewan from 2012 to 2014. As a result of these revisions applicable to butane, net supply and availability have been adjusted for the years 2005 to 2014.
Electricity data for Ontario have been revised. Specifically, exports data have been revised for 2010, 2011 and 2012. Producer consumption data and disposition data for pipelines, agriculture, residential, public administration, and commercial and other institutional, are revised for the years 2009 to 2014. Electricity disposition data for urban transit have been revised for the years 2007 to 2014.
Electricity disposition data for commercial and other institutional have been revised for Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta (1995 to 2004) and for all provinces (2005 to 2011).
Data on the availability of motor gasoline and diesel fuel oil for Nunavut have been revised for the years 2005 to 2014. The Nunavut fuel reallocation is reflected in the year 2015 and will be continued going forward. Inter-regional transfers in the supplying provinces have been adjusted to reflect the Nunavut fuel reallocation. Adjustment of the fuel data for the remaining territories (Yukon and Northwest Territories) is being investigated and will be included in the next Report on energy supply and demand.
Coal data for Ontario have been revised for the years 2005 to 2013.
Contact information
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