BLUE GOLD: HYDRO-ELECTRIC RENT IN CANADA

In this study, an attempt is made to develop estimates of the value of economic rent from production of hydro-electricity. These estimates are made for the year 1979, which is the latest period for which a comprehensive set of data was available at the time this work was undertaken. The estimates are developed for the hydro-electricity generated (or used) by electric utilities in four provinces: Quebec (including Churchill Falls), Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. These electric systems accounted for 93 percent of the hydro-electricity generated by utilities in Canada during 1979. Using the estimates developed for these four provinces, approximate values are derived for the rent arising from the hydro-electricity generated by utilities in the other provinces.