Where does your power come from?
- Stephanie Keating
- May 1
- 4 min read
Understanding energy use and climate change in the Clean Energy Frontier region
When you flick a light switch, charge your phone or turn on the TV, it’s easy to forget that something much bigger is happening behind the scenes. Electricity seems to be available instantly, all the time.
But where does it come from? And how is our power usage connected to the climate?
How Ontario makes electricity
In Ontario, we get electricity from a mix of sources, including nuclear power, hydroelectric dams, wind turbines, solar panels and natural gas plants.
And here in the Clean Energy Frontier region of Bruce, Grey and Huron counties—located within the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory—we’re home to one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world: Bruce Power.
Ontario’s nuclear plants and hydroelectric dams provide what’s known as “baseload power”: they run all day, every day, all year long. When demand rises, other types of energy generation are called upon to meet our power needs.
Most electricity in Ontario is produced by spinning a generator. In many cases, this happens through steam-powered turbines. Water is heated into steam, which spins a turbine, which turns a generator. This is the case with nuclear power plants: they use uranium as fuel, which gives off heat when its atoms are split. That heat turns water into steam and drives the turbine.
Hydroelectric dams, on the other hand, use falling water to spin turbines directly, while wind turbines use the breeze to turn their blades. Solar panels work a little differently: they convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Why some power is clean—and some isn’t
Nuclear, hydro, wind and solar all create their power without producing excess emissions. But some energy sources, like coal and natural gas, rely on burning fossil fuels to create the heat that spins their turbines. This releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), which traps heat in our atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
That matters, because rising carbon dioxide levels are driving real changes, both here in our region as well as across the globe. Those changes include hotter summers, stronger storms and shifting weather patterns, impacts to our ecosystems and more. Even in a province like Ontario—one that relies on low-carbon electricity—climate impacts are becoming harder to ignore.
Why using less energy still matters
You might think, “If Ontario’s baseload power comes from clean sources, why does energy use still matter?” The answer comes down to demand.
On very hot days—which are becoming ever more common—energy use spikes. Air conditioners blast and the electricity grid is pushed to its limits.
If the demand exceeds what we’re producing with clean sources, Ontario may fire up natural gas plants as backup or import electricity from other places (which may come from less clean sources).
This is a simplified overview; Ontario’s electricity grid is dynamic, and the source of power can vary depending on the season, region, or even time of day. But ultimately, the more electricity we use, the more we may need to rely on those backup sources. And, as our homes and communities become more electrified through electric vehicles, heat pumps and other digital technologies, overall electricity demand is expected to keep rising.
That’s why conservation is still one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce emissions. Shifting energy use away from peak hours or reducing consumption even slightly can lower emissions, especially when backup gas plants are running.
Smart ways to cut energy use
Reducing electricity use can start as simply as turning off the lights when you leave the room. Beyond that, here are a few high-impact actions that households and organizations can take:
Shift energy use away from peak hours. Consider running your dishwasher or doing laundry during the evenings or weekends to help reduce demand during critical times.
Use programmable or smart thermostats. These can cut energy use by automatically lowering heating or cooling when no one is home, saving you energy on your utility bills. Plus, you can save even more through IESO’s Peak Perks program, which provides incentives for adjusting your thermostat during periods of peak electricity demand.
Upgrade insulation and weatherproofing. Keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer means less energy used on heating and cooling.
Unplug or power down idle electronics. Many devices continue to draw small amounts of electricity, even when “off.”
Take advantage of audits and incentives. Utilities and municipalities sometimes offer home energy audits to identify where the biggest savings can be made.
Track Ontario’s electricity grid in real time
You can see Ontario’s electricity system in real time through a free tool called Gridwatch.
It shows where our power is coming from, how much we’re using and how much carbon is being released. It’s a great way for teachers, students and curious minds of all ages to explore our electricity mix.
Learn more: The Climate Project
If you’re interested in how climate change is already affecting our region, we invite you to explore the rest of The Climate Project website. This online hub is filled with local science and real examples of how the air, land and water of Bruce, Grey and Huron counties, within the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, are being affected.
Whether you’re looking for information on local weather trends, lake conditions, or sustainable practices, the Climate Project offers resources for anyone interested in how climate change is shaping our communities.
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