Energy Efficiency Trends in Canada
A comprehensive summary of secondary energy use and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada
Energy intensity and efficiency trends from 1990 and 2017
Total economy key highlights
Over the 1990 to 2017 period,
- Energy efficiency improved 30.6%.
- Canadians saved 2,036.8 PJ or $44.4 billion in energy costs and avoided 110.1 Mt of GHG emissions in 2017.
- Secondary energy use (final energy demand) in Canada increased 30.6%. It would have increased 60% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Canada’s energy intensity per unit of GDP improved 30.4%
Residential sector key highlights
Over the 1990 to 2017 period,
- Energy efficiency in homes improved 51%, saving Canadians $14.6 billion in energy costs in 2017 – averaging $84/household per month in savings.
- Residential energy use increased 5.8% because of a greater number of households (+4.4 million) and appliances/electronics, increased living space and use of air conditioning. Residential energy use would have increased 57.5% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 30.2 Mt of GHG emissions in 2017.
- Thanks to energy efficiency, energy use per household decreased 28% .
Commercial/institutional sector key highlights
Over the 1990 to 2017 period,
- Energy efficiency in the commercial/institutional sector improved 21%, saving Canadians 153.5 PJ of energy and $3.8 billion in energy costs in 2017.
- Energy intensity (GJ/m2) decreased 6%.
- Energy use increased 39%. It would have increased 60% without energy efficiency improvements.
Industrial sector key highlights
Over the 1990 to 2017 period,
- Canadian industry saved $3.4 billion in energy costs due to a 12% energy efficiency improvement in 2017.
- Industrial energy use increased 33%. It would have increased 45% without energy efficiency improvements.
- In 2017, Canadian industry saved 317 PJ of energy and reduced 15.9 Mt of GHG emissions.
- Energy intensity (MJ/$2012 – GDP) decreased 15.8% (or 35.5% without the resource extraction industries)..
Transportation sector key highlights
Over the 1990 to 2017 period,
- Energy efficiency improved 47%, saving Canadians 830.7 PJ of energy and $22.7 billion in energy costs in 2017.
- Energy use increased 41%, from 1,877.9 PJ to 2,642.8 PJ. More cars, more trucks and greater freight mileage all contributed to increased energy use in this sector.
- Energy efficiency improved 36%, saving 402.2 PJ, or $10.3 billion in energy costs in 2017.
- Energy use increased by 22%, but it would have increased 57% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency improved 64%, saving 428.4 PJ, or $12.4 billion in energy costs in 2017.
- Energy use increased by 67%. It would have increased 130% without energy efficiency improvements.
Passenger transportation
Freight transportation