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Biofuels and Solid Biomass Data

This database provides Canadian data on biomass-derived energy sources:

  • Liquid Biofuels are largely used in transportation. The two main categories are ethanol (substitute for conventional gasoline) and biodiesel. Both conventional first generation and advanced second generation biofuels are currently being produced commercially.
    • First generation ethanol is derived from sugar and starch-based crops such as corn, wheat, and sugarcane. First generation biodiesel is derived from oil-based crops such as canola and soybeans. These fuels are chemically different from gasoline and diesel, and thus require engine modification and/or additional maintenance for use in standard vehicles.
    • Second generation biofuels are generally at earlier stages of commercial development and can be costlier than first generation biofuels. Cellulosic ethanol can be derived from materials such as crop residues, woody biomass, and municipal waste. Like conventional ethanol, its use requires engine modification. Hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) or hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) is a diesel substitute that can be derived from oil-based crops and wastes. It is nearly chemically identical to fossil-based diesel, and thus is considered a 鈥榙rop-in鈥� fuel, meaning it can be used without engine modification. Other drop-in second generation biofuels include biomass-to-liquids diesel and renewable gasoline. 
  • Solid Biomass is largely used in industrial applications for heat and electricity production, as well as in buildings for heat production. Various biomass sources could be used, including wood and wood residues, municipal solid waste, and animal waste.
  • Biogas/biomethane can be used for heat and electricity production in industry and buildings, as well as fuel in natural gas vehicles. Prior to use, it is often upgraded to renewable natural gas, which is similar in quality to fossil-derived natural gas. Sources of biogas include agricultural organics, landfill gas, residential and commercial organic waste, and municipal wastewater.

This database focuses largely on liquid biofuels, but also contains some data on wood pellets, a key form of solid biomass. Biogas use in Canada is relatively minor, but amounts to approximately 3% of total natural gas demand. For more information on biogas, see the .

Key Data Sources

The Canadian government does not currently report comprehensive data on biofuels. This database was created to serve as a centralized location for data on biofuels and biomass data. The data have been obtained from a variety of sources.

Two recent reports produced in Canada draw biofuels data from various sources. These reports have provided the starting point for much of the information included in our database. Below are links to the reports, as well as an overview and analysis of the data they use.

Internationally, the US Government provides one of the best available sources for data on biofuels in Canada. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) produces an annual biofuels report for many countries, since biofuels are often produced from agriculture-based feedstocks. For Canada, annual biofuel reports are currently available in the from 2010 to 2016, and a was also obtained. The data in these reports appear to have been obtained from a wide variety of sources, only some of which are specified. For example, the  states that data were obtained from 鈥楥anadian government and industry sources with FAS/Ottawa analysis鈥�, which appears to indicate that personal communication rather than from publicly available data were largely used. There are some inconsistencies in the data reported from year to year in these reports; in tables showing data from these reports, we show the most recently available data.

  • Liquid Biofuels Data

    • Consumption

      • National

          The following table shows estimates of ethanol and biodiesel consumption in Canada, as well as gasoline and diesel consumption for comparison.

          National Gasoline, Ethanol, Diesel, and Biodiesel/Renewable Diesel Consumption


          Data Sources:
          - Statistics Canada:
          - USDA GAIN: (2010 to 2015 data), (2007 to 2009 data), and (2006 data)
          - US EIA:

          As noted, there are some inconsistencies in the data reported from year to year in the USDA GAIN reports. Download here tables showing the data and data sources from different editions of the report.

      • Provincial

          The following tables show the estimated breakdown by province of ethanol and biodiesel consumption in Canada. Gasoline and diesel consumption is from Statistics Canada or reported by provincial governments. Ethanol and biodiesel/HDRD data are reported, provided, or estimated by provincial governments or estimated based on national data from the USDA. These data sources and estimates represent the best available data on biofuel consumption, which were compiled in a 2017 analysis prepared by Navius Research (). Data is assumed to include both first and second generation biofuels. While the Navius report does attempt to estimate a breakdown between first generation biodiesel and second generation HDRD for each province, with the exception of reported data from the BC government, the majority of HDRD data appears to be based on rough assumptions; here, we show only the combined total of biodiesel and HDRD.

          Provincial Gasoline and Ethanol Consumption


          Data Sources:
          - BC gasoline and ethanol: (gasoline volumes are the total, not the non-exempt volume)
          - AB gasoline and ethanol: data from provincial government contact
          - SK gasoline: domestic sales data
          - SK ethanol: estimate provided by provincial government contact (reported average % blend ethanol used for 2007-2012; 2013-2015 use 2012 estimate)
          - MB gasoline and ethanol: available on
          - ON gasoline: data from provincial government contact
          - ON ethanol: 2007 to 2014 data from ; 2015 data from provincial government contact
          - QC and AT gasoline: domestic sales data (for AT, data for 2013-2015 is estimated, as all actual data from April 2013 onwards are redacted)
          - QC and AT ethanol: estimated based on difference between national total in and sum from other provinces, pro-rated to QC and AT

          Note that some provincial reported gasoline data differs from CANSIM 134-0004 data. Download a comparison table here.


          Provincial Diesel and Biodiesel/Renewable Diesel Consumption


          Data Sources:
          - BC diesel and biodiesel/HDRD:  (diesel volumes are the total, not the non-exempt volume)
          - AB diesel and biodiesel/HDRD: data from provincial government contact
          - SK diesel:  (data for 2013-2015 is estimated based on CANSIM 134-0004 and , as only 10 months of CANSIM 134-0004 monthly data are not redacted)
          - SK biodiesel/HDRD: estimate provided by provincial government contact
          - MB diesel and biodiesel/HDRD: available on
          - ON diesel:  (11 months of data estimated within the 2013-2015 period, as actual data are redacted)
          - ON biodiesel/HDRD: for 2010 to 2013, estimated based on for fuel exempted from the diesel fuel tax and the tax rate; for 2014 to 2015, estimated based on compliance data provided by a provincial government contact for the Greener Diesel Regulation
          - QC and AT diesel:  (for QC, 6 months of data estimated with the 2014-2015 period, as actual data are redacted; for AT, data for 2013-2015 are estimated based on CANSIM 134-0004 and , as only 10 months of CANSIM 134-0004 monthly data are not redacted
          - QC and AT biodiesel/HDRD: estimated based on difference between national total in and sum from other provinces, pro-rated to QC and AT

          Note that some provincial reported gasoline data differs from CANSIM 134-0004 data. Download a comparison table here.

    • Production

      • National

          The following table shows estimates of ethanol and biodiesel production in Canada. Note that almost all biofuel production in Canada is first generation biofuels. Canada does have a number of cellulosic ethanol plants: a  that began producing in 2012 and a that began producing methanol in 2015, but has not yet begun producing ethanol. Canada has no second generation biodiesel/HDRD plants.

          National Ethanol and Biodiesel Production


          Data Sources:
          - USDA GAIN:  (2010 to 2015 ethanol data; 2008 to 2015 biodiesel data),  (2007 to 2009 ethanol data; 2007 biodiesel data),  (2006 ethanol and biodiesel data), and (2001 to 2005 ethanol data)
          - US EIA: 

          As noted, there are some inconsistencies in the data reported from year to year in the USDA GAIN reports. Download here tables showing the data and sources from different editions of the report.


          The following table shows estimates of ethanol and biodiesel production capacity in Canada. Data are from reports produced by the USDA GAIN.

          National Ethanol and Biodiesel Production Capacity


          Data Sources:
          - USDA GAIN:  (2010 to 2015 ethanol data; 2008 to 2015 biodiesel data),  (2007 to 2009 ethanol data; 2007 biodiesel data),  (2006 ethanol and biodiesel data), and (2001 to 2005 ethanol data)

          As noted, there are some inconsistencies in the data reported from year to year in the USDA GAIN reports. Download here tables showing the data and sources from different editions of the report.

      • Provincial

          Production data by province are not available.


          The following table shows estimates of operational ethanol and biodiesel production capacity by province, as of 2015. The data are from a .

          Ethanol and Biodiesel Production Capacity in 2015 by Province




          List of Ethanol and Biodiesel Production Facilities


    • Trade

        The following table shows estimates of ethanol and biodiesel imports to and exports from Canada. Ethanol and biodiesel/HDRD data are shown from reports by the USDA GAIN and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA)'s International Energy Statistics. While Statistics Canada does have some data on biofuel trade in the , the coding system has changed over the years; in some cases groups products together under a single category, such that it is difficult to separate out ethanol and biodiesel used solely for fuel.

        National Ethanol and Biodiesel Imports and Exports


        Data Sources:
        - USDA GAIN:  (2010 to 2015 ethanol data; 2008 to 2015 biodiesel data),  (2007 to 2009 ethanol data; 2007 biodiesel data),  (2006 ethanol and biodiesel data), and (2001 to 2005 ethanol data)
        - US EIA: International Energy Statistics (, , , )

    • Carbon Intensities

        The following table shows estimates of the carbon intensities of biofuels by province. The carbon intensities displayed are the weighted average by consumption of biofuels produced from different feedstocks. With the exception of British Columbia and biodiesel/HDRD in Ontario, there is little to no publicly available data on the carbon intensities and feedstocks of biofuels consumed in each province. For the remainder of the provinces, the carbon intensities are from a 2017 analysis prepared by Navius Research (). Navius Research made assumptions about quantities of biofuels consumed in each province and estimated carbon intensities for each feedstock from GHGenius 4.03a, a lifecycle assessment model of transportation fuels in Canada developed for Natural Resources Canada.

        Biofuel Carbon Intensities, by Province


        Data Sources:
        - BC: (with biodiesel and HDRD weighted by consumption)
        - AB, SK, MB, ON ethanol, QC, AT: ; carbon intensities are the weighted average of biofuels produced from different feedstocks. Assumptions were made for the quantity of each feedstock consumed, with assumptions reviewed for SK, MB, and ON by government contacts and assumptions for AB based on
        - ON biodiesel/HDRD: estimate provided by provincial government contact

    • Policies

      • Fuel Regulations

          The federal government and many provinces have regulations that require a minimum percent blend of renewable content in gasoline and diesel pools. The following table shows the required amount of renewable fuel in each year based on when the policies came into force. All percent content requirements are by volume, rather than energy content (biofuels generally have a lower energy density than gasoline and diesel).

          In addition to requiring a minimum blend of renewable fuel, a number of provinces have additional requirements regarding carbon intensities of renewable fuels.  require that fuel suppliers decrease the average carbon intensity of their fuels to achieve a 10% reduction in 2020 relative to 2010.  requires that eligible renewable fuels have a carbon intensity that is at least 25% less than that of gasoline or diesel.  requires eligible renewable fuels to meet a 30% reduction in carbon intensity relative to diesel for 2014 and 2015, a 50% reduction for 2016, and a 70% for 2017 and beyond. Ontario is also in the process of developing a that will likely specify carbon intensity requirements.

          Required Renewable Fuel Blending



          Legislation:

          Gasoline Pool
          - Canada:
          - BC:
          - AB:
          - SK:
          - MB:
          - ON:
          - QC and AT: no provincial mandates

          Diesel Pool
          - Canada:
          - BC:
          - AB:
          - SK: and
          - MB:
          - ON:
          - QC and AT: no provincial mandates

      • Incentives

          The federal government and many provincial governments have provided a wide variety of incentives to support biofuel production and consumption. Some of these incentives initially took the form of excise fuel tax exemptions for biofuels, most of which were phased out by around 2010. Federally and in several provinces, these fuel tax exemptions were replaced by production grants and credits, intended to specifically support domestic production (since fuel tax exemptions would also apply to imported biofuels). Most of these production incentives have now either been phased out or will be by 2018. The following table shows these production incentives for each province and year (several of the programs have funding limits and qualification requirements).

          Various other support programs for research, development, demonstration, and deployment have also been in place for various periods. For example, federal programs include: the , which was established in 2001 and continues to be active as of 2017, and supports R&D for various technologies including biofuels; and the , which as of 2017 is winding down and not receiving new applications, and supports demonstration facilities for next generation renewable fuels. Support for domestic production is also provided through measures such as accelerated depreciation tax benefits and tariffs on biofuels imported from some non-NAFTA countries.

          Production Incentives for Biofuels


          Data Sources:
          - Canada:
          - AB:
          - SK:  (additional information );
          - MB: ;
          - ON:
          - QC: , Special tax relating to the credit for the production of ethanol in Quebec
          - NS: ; tax exemption not currently listed in

          For more information on these and other biofuel support programs, see:
          - , Section 2.2
          - , Appendix 2
          - , Appendix 2
          -
          -

      • Other Policies

          Various other GHG reduction policies may have impacts for biofuels. Carbon pricing policies, which will be in place in all provinces by 2018, have different treatment of biofuels, as follows:

          - BC: does apply to ethanol and biodiesel at same rate as gasoline and diesel
          - AB: does not apply to biofuels
          - ON and QC: No mention was found of biofuel exemptions under cap-and-trade systems
          - Federal: does not apply to biofuels

          Carbon pricing policies in other provinces are currently in the process of being developed.

          It is also of note that  does not consider vehicles running on biofuels, such as ethanol-85 flex fuel vehicles, as eligible to meet minimum requirements for zero and low emission vehicles.

      • Download all data related to biofuels (consumption, production, trade, carbon intensities, and policies)

  • Solid Biomass Data

      Note that although various forms of solid biomass exist, this section focuses specifically on wood pellets.

    • Consumption

        Data for the following tables are from reports produced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) and from Lamers et al. (2012) as cited by the Wood Pellet Association of Canada. The GAIN reports state that data are from 'Canadian government and industry sources with FAS/Ottawa analysis'. The Lamers et al. data were compiled from a variety of sources, including conference reports and in-person communication with industry participants.

      • National

          National Wood Pellet Consumption


          Data Sources:
          - 2000 to 2005 data is from , as shown by the
          - 2006 to 2015 data is from USDA GAIN: (2009 to 2015 data), (2007 to 2009 data), and (2006 data)

      • Provincial (currently unavailable)

    • Production

      • National

          Data Sources:
          - 2000 to 2005 data is from , as shown by the
          - 2006 to 2015 data is from USDA GAIN: (2009 to 2015 data), (2007 to 2009 data), and (2006 data)


          National Wood Pellet Production Capacity


          Data Sources:
          - USDA GAIN: (2009 to 2015 data), (2007 to 2009 data), and (2006 data)

      • Provincial

          The following table shows estimates of operational wood pellet production capacity by province, as of 2017. The data is from a list of production facilities from the . The list of facilities follows. 


          Production data by province is not available.


          Wood Pellet Production Capacity in 2017 By Province




          List of Wood Pellet Production Facilities


    • Trade

        The following table shows estimates of wood pellet exports from and imports to Canada. Data is from reports produced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) and from Lamers et al. (2012) as cited by the Wood Pellet Association of Canada. The GAIN reports states that data is from 'Canadian government and industry sources with FAS/Ottawa analysis'. It appears that trade data was obtained from the . The Lamers et al. data was compiled from a variety of sources, including conference reports and in person communication with industry participants. Note that the majority of Canada's wood pellet production is exported, with approximately 75% going to the UK.

        National Wood Pellet Trade


        Data Sources:
        - 2000 to 2005 data is from , as shown by the
        - 2006 to 2015 data is from USDA GAIN: (2009 to 2015 data), (2007 to 2009 data), and (2006 data)

      • Download all data related to wood pellets (consumption, production, and trade)