Solar
FACTS
A renewable energy source that turns
sunlight into electricity.
Greenhouse gas emissions-free.
Provides power when the sun shines.
Ontario produces enough
solar power for about
230,000 homes a year.
Most solar energy
gets used close to where
it’s produced.
ontario.ca/energy
Ontario’s Energry
Supply Mix
FACTS
Each generation type has a role in Ontario’s
supply mix.
Nuclear and large hydroelectric
plants provide ‘baseload
generation’ which means
they operate at all times.
Sources like small hydroelectric
plants get used when the demand
for electricity increases.
Wind and solar are
‘intermittent sources’ they can only generate
electricity when the
wind blows or the sun shines.
ontario.ca/energy
Nuclear
FACTS
Uses uranium for fuel.
Greenhouse gas emissions-free.
Provides ‘baseload generation’ – it
works 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Generates almost 60%
of Ontario’s electricity.
ontario.ca/energy
Natural Gas
(Electricity)
FACTS
Natural gas is contained in rock deep
beneath the surface of the earth and
ocean floors.
Natural gas produces lower greenhouse
gas emissions than other fossil fuels,
such as coal.
Natural gas plants can start
up quickly when electricity
demand increases, like on
a hot summer afternoon.
Produces about 8%
of the province’s electricity.
ontario.ca/energy
Biomass
FACTS
Renewable energy source fuelled by
natural resources like wood and other
organic material.
Biomass is carbon-neutral.
Biomass plants are turned on when
electricity demand is high to ensure
a reliable and constant
power supply.
Generates less than 1%
of the province’s
electricity.
ontario.ca/energy
Hydroelectricity
FACTS
Renewable energy source fuelled by falling
or flowing water.
Ontario’s large hydroelectric stations
provide ‘baseload generation’ – they work
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Generates almost 25% of the province’s
electricity.
Greenhouse gas
emissions-free.
ontario.ca/energy
How much is a Kilowatt
hour (kWh)?
kWh
kWh
kWh
FACTS
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the unit for measuring
electricity produced over time.
One kWh is the amount of electricity consumed
by 10 100-watt light bulbs burning for one hour.
The typical Ontario household uses between 750
and 1,000 kWh a month and often more
in the summer.
One kilowatt-hour of electricity
will let you:
kWh
Surf the web for FIVE hours.
Blow dry your hair THREE times.
ontario.ca/energy
Wind Power
FACTS
Renewable energy source fuelled by the
wind.
Greenhouse gas emissions-free.
Provides power when the wind blows.
Generates almost 8%
of Ontario’s electricity,
enough electricity to
power approximately
1.1 million homes.
ontario.ca/energy