How much electricity does Canada export to the United States?
Canada exports electricity exclusively to one market: the United States. In 2024, those exports totaled 35.6 million MWh, with a value of $3.13 billion—enough to power over 3.3 million U.S. homes based on EIA estimates of the average electricity consumption of 10,500 kWh per household in the United States. Canada’s electricity exports in 2024 were down 28% from 2023, the second consecutive year electricity exports declined.
Reliable electricity is critical for industrial, commercial, and residential activities. Canada and the United States have an integrated electricity network, allowing for the bilateral flow of electricity to help meet regional supply and demand fluctuations. According to the Canada Energy Regulator, 86 international power lines along the Canada-US border move electricity between provinces and states. Electricity exports to the US have fluctuated for several reasons, including weather, increased demand, and pricing, among others. Between 1985 and 2024, annual electricity exports to the United States have ranged from a low of 16,231,120 MWh (1990) to a peak of 73,531,676 MWh (2016).
Which provinces export electricity to the United States?
All Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia exported electricity to the United States in 2024, with volumes driven by pricing, available supply, and transmission capacity. Ontario was the largest electricity exporter to the US, accounting for more than 33% of the total electricity Canada sold to the United States. British Columbia was second, selling about half the volume as Ontario, followed by Manitoba, a close third. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan sold the least.
British Columbia also had the greatest reach, selling electricity to 13 states, with Washington as its biggest customer. In contrast, Manitoba and New Brunswick had one customer each. All of the electricity Manitoba sold to the United States in 2024 went to Minnesota, and 100% of New Brunswick’s electricity exports flowed to Maine.
Which US states are importing electricity from Canada?
Twenty-two U.S. states import electricity from Canada, but five border states—New York, Minnesota, Vermont, Michigan, and Maine—accounted for 78% of all Canadian exports in 2024. New York led the pack, importing 8.6 million MWh (worth $491 million), 77% of which originated in Ontario. At the opposite end, Texas imported the least Canadian electricity. The interactive chart below shows the flow of electricity exports from Canadian provinces to US states.
