Canadian energy
delivered safe and responsibly

Industry Partners

About Energy Transmission

Canada is rich in energy resources that supply millions of energy consumers domestically and otherwise. Many of those resources are found far from population centres. And those Canadian centres are dispersed across a continent-wide country. Canadians rely on energy transmission systems that are safe, reliable, economic, and convenient to meet their demands.

Canada’s network of pipelines extends more than 840,000 kilometres across the country. It carries natural gas, crude oil, propane, jet fuel, and hydrogen. Canada also a leads in high voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity transmission. This is especially important to connect consumers with remote hydro generating facilities, a uniquely low-emission electricity source. Natural Resources Canada estimates there are over 430,000 kilometres of high voltage transmission lines across Canada. That is almost 85 times the distance between St. John’s, Newfoundland and Victoria, British Columbia. There are also 35 interconnections across the Canada-US border.

As the world transitions to a lower-carbon energy future, safe, reliable, and efficient energy transportation will be critical to deliver Canadian energy to domestic and global markets.

Statistics

  • Canada has over 840,000 kilometres of energy pipelines
  • Canada has over 430,000 kilometers of high voltage transmission lines
  • Each year, almost 580 million barrels of oil are safely transported along Canada’s east and west coasts via tanker
  • An average of 281,000 barrels per day were moved by rail in 2019

Innovation

Canadian pipelines offer versatility in an evolving energy sector. They can transport, or be adapted to transport, alternative gases and liquids, including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, carbon dioxide, and liquefied natural gas. At the same time, Canada’s electricity infrastructure will support the commercial potential of new renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

Canada has always been a leader in energy transportation. The first 735-kilovolt (kV) line was developed by a Hydro-Québec engineer, Jean-Jacques Archambault. It was approved in 1962. Today 735 kV transmission lines are found around the world. The Canadian electricity industry continues to innovate today.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards are not a novelty for Canada’s energy transportation industry. It has a long history of sustainability planning and corporate social responsibility programs. Members have been making investments in new technologies and practices to reduce their environmental footprint and reduce or eliminate the risk of spills. 

Moreover, the industry operates in a rigorous regulatory environment. Canada’s federal and provincial regulators enforce some of the strictest safety and environmental standards in the world.

Canadian pipeline and powerline companies work to create durable, mutually respectful relationships of benefit to their employees, Indigenous peoples, and neighbouring communities. Industry members continually strive to improve social acceptability of their operations. A company’s success in achieving that objective is an element of its performance evaluation.