Manufacturers Drove 2009's Reduction in Electricity Demand

Producers cutting back on power use | Pulp and Paper Canada

"In Ontario at least, industry's energy use took a dive along with the economy, says Alexandra Campbell, spokesperson for Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), which operates the province's electricity system.

"During the recession, industrial demand went down from 10 to 30%. Since 2009, the industrial load has gone back up about 10%," she says.

While reduced production does impact energy consumption, there have been other factors at play across Canada.

"Power demand doesn't exactly mirror what's happening in the economy," Campbell says, pointing out that usage from residential, commercial and some smaller industries stayed relatively the same during the downturn."