Canada Energy Regulator projects power generation surge, with wind a major new source

Power lines coming from the BC Hydro Skeena Substation are pictured in Terrace, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

CALGARY — A new report from the Canada Energy Regulator is projecting significant growth in electrical generation between now and 2050, in part due to new artificial intelligence data centres’ thirst for power.

The federal agency gamed out four supply and demand scenarios for Canada’s oil, gas and electricity markets: current measures, higher, lower and net-zero.

In all cases, power generation is projected to balloon — by 30 per cent at the low end to double today’s level at the high end.

In all scenarios, wind energy makes up the bulk of the power capacity additions.

Canada’s crude oil production is anticipated to grow near-term in all scenarios, but output peaks at different points in time.

Under the status quo, production would reach 6.1 million barrels per day around 2040 and level off to 5.9 million barrels per day by 2050.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 2026.

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press