Thermal Power in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: September 2024
NAICS 22111aCARevenue
$18.4bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
15,874
Businesses
15
Wages
$X.Xbn
Thermal Power in Canada industry analysis
Thermal power is a major energy source but has faced some hurdles recently. Amid the pandemic, operators saw a modest uptick as the residential sector kept revenue afloat while commercial and industrial sectors were shut down because of health and safety protocols. While the economy reopened, elevated prices put pressure on thermal-powered plants, weakening revenue. Even so, most of this dip stemmed from the closure of many coal power plants because of their immense greenhouse gas emissions. Revenue is set to push down at a CAGR of 1.3% to $18.4 billion through 2024, including a 0.9% lag in 2024 alone. Profit also contracted as rising commodity prices expanded purchase costs, forcing companies to absorb them since they couldn't pass it on entirely to buyers.
Trends and Insights
- Electricity generated by coal-powered plants has taken a nosedive as Canada seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This has caused revenue to slide down despite massive jumps in gas output, reflecting a broader shift toward cleaner energy sources.
- The residential sector has been the most consistent source of revenue for thermal power generators. While industrial and commercial markets vary, households always needed electricity to keep revenue afloat amid the pandemic.
- Ontario's strict emission standards are promoting cleaner energy. Power plants must comply with CO2 limits, pushing them to adopt more efficient technologies and cleaner fuels to avoid additional costs for exceeding emissions thresholds.
- Internal competition is low because provincial governments directly regulate electricity prices. Thermal power plants can still compete on costs, energy sources and reputation.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $18.4bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The pandemic and its aftermath on power generators
- As the pandemic hit, the Canadian government imposed a lockdown throughout all provinces, meaning that bars, restaurants, child care centres, private schools, theatres and other places where lots of people gather were closed in 2020.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The Canadian economy will recover from the current economic challenges it faces
- Despite severe disruptions stemming from high inflation, soaring energy prices, rising interest rates and recessionary fears, GDP in Canada will grow at a modest pace during the outlook period.
Biggest companies in the Thermal Power in Canada
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ontario Power Generation Inc. | 5,216.3 | 1,095.7 | 21.0 | |
Bruce Power LP | 2,489.6 | 662.0 | 26.6 | |
SaskPower | 2,156.8 | 97.4 | 4.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Coal and coke fired electricity, Natural gas-powered electricity and Nuclear power. Coal and coke fired electricity is the largest segment of the Thermal Power in Canada.
Trends and Insights
Nuclear power is clean and efficient
- Power plants in the United States that use nuclear energy produce at maximum capacity more often than plants that use any other type of energy. Since Canada's energy sector is very similar to that of its southern neighbour, nuclear plants in Canada are also very efficient, making them attractive to electricity producers.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Coal Mining in Canada
- Petroleum Refining in Canada
Complementors
- Electric Power Transmission in Canada
- Renewable Power in Canada
International industries
- Coal & Natural Gas Power in the US
- Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation in Australia
- Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation in New Zealand
- Electricity Production in the UK
- Electricity Production in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Thermal Power industry in Canada comprises nuclear power plants and fossil-fuel power plants, such as coal and natural gas. Biomass power, which also uses thermal energy, is considered a renewable energy source and isn't included in this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Generating electricity through nuclear power plantsGenerating electricity through coal power plantsGenerating electricity through natural gas power plantsGenerating electricity through other fossil-fuel power plantsCompanies
Ontario Power Generation Inc.Bruce Power LPSaskPowerPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CROWN CORPORATIONJOULECLEAN COALIndustry Code
NAICS 221112 - Thermal Power in Canada
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Electricity generated by coal-powered plants has taken a nosedive as Canada seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This has caused revenue to slide down despite massive jumps...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The residential sector has been the most consistent source of revenue for thermal power generators. While industrial and commercial markets vary, households always needed ele...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Ontario's strict emission standards are promoting cleaner energy. Power plants must comply with CO2 limits, pushing them to adopt more efficient technologies and cleaner fuel...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each province in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Internal competition is low because provincial governments directly regulate electricity prices. Thermal power plants can still compete on costs, energy sources and reputatio...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Nationalisation of the power industry is more common in Canada, as the major player Ontario Power Generation Inc. is entirely owned by the Ontario provincial government. Loca...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Ontario Power Generation Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Bruce Power LP's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of SaskPower's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Ontario Power Generation Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Bruce Power LP, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for SaskPower, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Thermal power plants in Canada are subject to a slew of different regulations. These include environmental laws, nuclear power safety provisions and regulations on prices.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Purchases for this industry include uranium, natural gas, coal and a slew of different inputs. Costs for these inputs have surged because of supply chain disruptions and the ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Assets (2017-2022)
- Liabilities (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Canada include:
- Statistics Canada
- Industry Canada
- Canadian Business Patterns
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Thermal Power industry in Canada in 2024?
The market size of the Thermal Power industry in Canada is $18.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Thermal Power in Canada industry in 2024?
There are 15 businesses in the Thermal Power industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Thermal Power industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Thermal Power industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Thermal Power industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Thermal Power industry in Canada is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Thermal Power market in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Thermal Power market in Canada are Ontario Power Generation Inc., Bruce Power LP and SaskPower
What does the Thermal Power in Canada include?
Generating electricity through nuclear power plants and Generating electricity through coal power plants are part of the Thermal Power industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Thermal Power in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in Canada is Ontario Power Generation Inc..
How competitive is the Thermal Power industry in Canada?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Thermal Power industry in Canada.
