TC Energy
A Canadian energy infrastructure company operating natural-gas pipelines, power assets, storage facilities and related infrastructure across North America. North American energy infrastructure brand formerly known as TransCanada and now operating under the TC Energy name.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
TC Energy Corporation, formerly known as TransCanada Corporation, is a Canadian energy infrastructure company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Its business is centered on developing, owning and operating large-scale infrastructure that transports natural gas, supports energy storage, generates electricity and connects energy supplies with industrial, commercial and residential markets in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Although the company has historically been associated with both oil and natural-gas pipelines, its liquids-pipeline business was separated into South Bow Corporation in October 2024, making natural-gas infrastructure the central part of TC Energy’s continuing portfolio. The company originated in 1951 as Trans-Canada Pipe Lines Limited, created through a special act of the Canadian Parliament to develop a pipeline carrying western Canadian natural gas to markets in central and eastern Canada. That project became the Canadian Mainline, one of the country’s foundational gas-transportation systems. Over time, TC Energy expanded from a single interprovincial pipeline into a continental network through acquisitions, new construction and investments in storage, electricity generation and cross-border infrastructure. Its natural-gas pipeline operations include the NGTL System in Alberta, the Canadian Mainline, Columbia Gas, ANR Pipeline, Columbia Gulf and systems in Mexico. Together, the network spans approximately 94,000 kilometres and transports more than 30 percent of the natural gas consumed in North America, according to company and reference descriptions. TC Energy also owns or controls approximately 532 billion cubic feet of natural-gas storage capacity, giving it an important role in balancing seasonal demand and supporting gas-market reliability. The company’s power and energy activities include interests in natural-gas-fired generation, nuclear power and renewable or storage projects. TC Energy holds a 48.4 percent interest in Bruce Power, the operator of Ontario’s Bruce Nuclear Generating Station. It also has interests in gas-fired cogeneration facilities in western Canada and Arizona, eastern Canadian power assets, and the Saddlebrook Solar + Storage project in Alberta. Proposed pumped-storage projects in Ontario and Alberta reflect an effort to expand the company’s role in electricity storage and grid support, although proposed projects should not be treated as operating assets. TC Energy’s strategic infrastructure also supports LNG-related supply chains. The Coastal GasLink project is designed to transport natural gas from northeastern British Columbia to the LNG Canada export facility near Kitimat. In Mexico, its network includes the Southeast Gateway Pipeline, a marine project intended to connect gas supplies in Veracruz with delivery points in southern Mexico. The company changed its corporate name from TransCanada Corporation to TC Energy Corporation in May 2019. The rebrand was intended to present a broader identity covering pipelines, power generation and energy storage in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Its U.S. headquarters is located in Houston, Texas, in the building renamed TC Energy Center in 2019. TC Energy remains a publicly traded Canadian company under the ticker TRP, with shares also traded in the United States. Its infrastructure-heavy business model is characterized by long-lived assets, regulated or contracted transportation revenues, major capital projects and exposure to regulatory, environmental, Indigenous-rights, construction and energy-market issues.
History
TC Energy was incorporated in 1951 as Trans-Canada Pipe Lines Limited through a special act of the Canadian Parliament. Its original purpose was to build a long-distance pipeline transporting natural gas from western Canada to markets in central and eastern Canada. The resulting TransCanada pipeline, now generally known as the Canadian Mainline, became a key element of Canada’s national gas-delivery infrastructure. N. Eldon Tanner, who had experience in Alberta’s petroleum sector and public life, became president in 1954. For much of its early history, the company’s identity was closely tied to the Canadian Mainline and the development of interprovincial natural-gas transportation. The business later expanded through additional connections, extensions and acquisitions, gradually linking producing regions with Canadian and U.S. demand centres. In 1998, TransCanada Pipelines merged with NOVA Corporation’s pipeline business. The combination enlarged its Canadian network and helped establish the company as one of North America’s significant energy-services and pipeline operators. During the 2000s and 2010s, the company pursued a broader North American strategy. It developed and acquired pipeline assets serving the United States, including systems connected to the Appalachian Basin, the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast markets. In 2016, TransCanada acquired Columbia Pipeline Group from NiSource shareholders for approximately US$13 billion. Columbia added a substantial network in Pennsylvania and neighbouring states, providing access to the Marcellus and Utica shale formations and strengthening TransCanada’s position in U.S. gas transportation. The company also expanded beyond conventional pipeline transportation. Its portfolio came to include power-generation assets using natural gas and nuclear technology, natural-gas storage facilities and investments supporting LNG exports. The Bruce Power interest gave the company exposure to one of the world’s largest nuclear generating sites, while projects such as Coastal GasLink connected western Canadian gas production with the LNG Canada export facility on the British Columbia coast. In May 2019, TransCanada Corporation adopted the name TC Energy Corporation. The change was intended to reflect a business that included pipelines, electricity generation and energy storage, and that operated in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In the same year, the company’s Houston office building was renamed TC Energy Center, reinforcing the importance of its U.S. operations. TC Energy has faced continuing political and regulatory controversy because major pipeline projects affect landowners, Indigenous communities, climate policy, environmental protection and regional energy planning. The company has also been associated with political activity around pipeline-protest legislation in South Dakota; reference material describes both allegations regarding its participation and the company’s denial that those claims accurately characterized its role. On October 1, 2024, TC Energy completed the spinoff of its liquids-pipeline operations into South Bow Corporation. The transaction marked a strategic concentration of TC Energy’s continuing business on natural-gas transportation and storage, electricity generation and selected energy-transition infrastructure. Its current operating profile therefore reflects both its historic role as a Canadian gas-pipeline builder and its subsequent transformation into a diversified North American energy-infrastructure company. TransCanada Pipelines traces its origins to 1951, when Trans-Canada Pipe Lines was established to develop a major natural-gas transportation route across Canada. The project was politically and technically significant because it required the construction of a long-distance pipeline connecting Western Canadian gas production with markets in Ontario and Quebec. The company became a central participant in the creation of Canada’s interprovincial natural-gas transmission infrastructure. During the following decades, the business developed and operated pipeline capacity under regulated arrangements. Its Canadian Mainline became a defining asset, transporting natural gas from Western Canada toward eastern Canadian and northeastern United States markets. The company also built or acquired storage and transmission assets, allowing it to serve utilities, industrial customers, local distribution companies, and other energy-market participants. The company’s geographic scope expanded substantially in the United States. It developed the Keystone crude-oil pipeline system, connecting Canadian oil supplies with refineries and storage hubs in the United States, and later acquired the Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf natural-gas systems. These transactions increased the company’s exposure to U.S. regulated pipeline markets and made it one of the largest energy infrastructure owners operating across the two countries. TransCanada also diversified into power generation. Its portfolio included interests in nuclear, gas-fired, renewable, and other electricity assets, most notably its investment in Bruce Power in Ontario. This diversification reflected an effort to balance the company’s pipeline business with long-lived power infrastructure and to participate in multiple segments of the North American energy system. The Keystone XL proposal became a major turning point in the company’s public profile. The project was intended to extend the Keystone system from Alberta to the U.S. Gulf Coast. It was subjected to extensive environmental review and became a focus of opposition from environmental organizations, landowners, Indigenous groups, and some U.S. political constituencies. Presidential administrations adopted different positions on the project. In 2017, a presidential permit was issued, but in 2021 President Joe Biden revoked it. TC Energy subsequently ended the project. Pipeline integrity incidents also generated significant attention. A 2017 Keystone spill in South Dakota and a 2019 release in North Dakota prompted cleanup operations, investigations, regulatory involvement, and criticism from opponents of oil-sands transportation. These events highlighted the operational and reputational risks associated with large pipeline networks. As its activities broadened, TransCanada Corporation changed its name to TC Energy Corporation in 2019. The new name was intended to represent the company’s larger North American energy infrastructure portfolio rather than its historical emphasis on Canadian pipelines. The TransCanada Pipelines identity therefore functions primarily as a legacy corporate and asset-related name, while TC Energy is the current corporate brand. The company remains active in natural-gas transmission, storage, crude-oil transportation, and power generation.
- 2024
Liquids Pipelines spinoff
[1]The company completed the separation of its liquids-pipeline business into South Bow Corporation.
- 2021
Keystone XL is terminated
The company terminates Keystone XL after the U.S. presidential permit is revoked.
- 2021
François Poirier becomes chief executive
François Poirier succeeds Russ Girling as president and chief executive officer.
- 2019
Corporate rebrand to TC Energy
[1]TransCanada Corporation changed its name to TC Energy Corporation to signal a broader energy-infrastructure portfolio.
- 2017
Keystone XL receives a U.S. presidential permit
The Keystone XL project receives a presidential permit during the administration of Donald Trump, allowing the project to proceed subject to other approvals.
- 2016
Columbia Pipeline Group acquisition
[1]The acquisition added major U.S. natural-gas infrastructure serving the Appalachian Basin and surrounding markets.
- 2010
Russ Girling becomes chief executive
Russ Girling becomes president and chief executive officer.
- 2001
Hal Kvisle becomes chief executive
Hal Kvisle succeeds as chief executive during a period of expansion in North American pipeline and energy infrastructure.
- 1998
Merger with NOVA pipeline business
[1]TransCanada Pipelines merged with NOVA Corporation's pipeline business, expanding its Canadian network and North American scale.
- 1958
Canadian Mainline begins service
The initial east-west Canadian natural-gas transmission route enters service, linking Western Canadian production with eastern markets.
Products and positioning
Large-scale, regulated and contract-based North American energy infrastructure operator, with historical strength in natural-gas transmission and a significant presence in crude-oil transportation and power generation.
Natural-gas pipeline network
NGTL System
The NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. system is a large Alberta network connecting producers in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin with domestic consumers, export routes and other pipeline systems. It is one of TC Energy's principal gathering and transportation platforms and provides extensive access to Alberta's gas-producing regions.
Natural-gas pipeline network · 1958
Canadian Mainline
The Canadian Mainline is a long-distance system that transports western Canadian natural gas across the country toward Ontario, Quebec and connected U.S. markets. Originating in the company's founding project, it has evolved through additional supply connections and market links over more than six decades. The system consists of extensive pipeline capacity, compressor stations, and associated facilities operated within a regulated and contract-based framework. The Canadian Mainline is the company’s historic east-west natural-gas transmission network. It moves gas from Western Canadian producing regions toward markets in Ontario, Quebec, and the northeastern United States. The system consists of extensive pipeline capacity, compressor stations, and associated facilities operated within a regulated and contract-based framework.
Natural-gas pipeline network
Columbia Gas
Columbia Gas serves the Appalachian Basin and surrounding U.S. markets, including areas associated with the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. The system interconnects with other pipelines and provides transportation access toward northeastern and Gulf Coast demand centres.
Natural-gas pipeline network
ANR Pipeline System
ANR connects U.S. producing regions and market hubs across the Midwest, the South and the Gulf Coast. Its links include Texas, Oklahoma, Appalachian and Gulf supplies, with bidirectional capabilities on parts of the system supporting changing regional flows.
LNG-supporting gas pipeline
Coastal GasLink
Coastal GasLink is a roughly 670-kilometre pipeline designed to transport natural gas from the Dawson Creek area of British Columbia to the LNG Canada facility near Kitimat. The project is intended to support liquefaction and export of Canadian natural gas to international markets.
Nuclear power generation
Bruce Power interest
TC Energy holds a 48.4 percent interest in Bruce Power, which operates the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario. The station consists of eight nuclear units and is among the largest operating nuclear-generation facilities in the world.
Solar generation and energy storage
Saddlebrook Solar + Storage
Saddlebrook Solar + Storage is an Alberta project combining approximately 81 megawatts of solar generation with utility-scale energy storage. It represents TC Energy's participation in electricity infrastructure beyond conventional gas and nuclear generation.
Crude-oil transportation · 2010
Keystone pipeline system
The Keystone system transports crude oil from Western Canada to storage and refinery markets in the United States. It became one of the most recognizable North American pipeline networks because of the Keystone XL expansion proposal and because operating incidents generated extensive environmental and regulatory scrutiny.
Natural-gas transmission and storage
Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf systems
The Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf systems are U.S. natural-gas transmission networks serving the Appalachian region, the U.S. Gulf Coast, and other interconnected markets. Their assets include transmission pipelines, compressor stations, storage facilities, and related infrastructure used by utilities, marketers, and industrial customers.
Electricity generation
Power generation portfolio
Beyond pipelines, the company has held interests in electricity-generation facilities, including nuclear and gas-fired assets and other power infrastructure. Its power business provides diversification from regulated and contracted pipeline transportation and includes a significant historical investment in Bruce Power in Ontario.
Natural-gas transmission and storage
Columbia Gulf
The Columbia Gulf system is a U.S. natural-gas transmission network serving the U.S. Gulf Coast and other interconnected markets. Its assets include transmission pipelines, compressor stations, storage facilities, and related infrastructure used by utilities, marketers, and industrial customers.
Controversies
2019
South Dakota pipeline-protest legislation
Reference material reported that TC Energy assisted with drafting South Dakota legislation intended to establish funding for policing pipeline protests and impose civil penalties related to encouraging riot participation. The company disputed descriptions of its role, while the Indigenous Environmental Network, Sierra Club and other groups challenged the laws, arguing that they could burden constitutionally protected protest activity.
2019
Keystone spill in North Dakota
A release from the Keystone system in North Dakota prompted emergency response and remediation and added to scrutiny of the company's pipeline-integrity practices.
2017
Keystone spill in South Dakota
A leak on the Keystone crude-oil pipeline in South Dakota caused an oil release and led to shutdown, cleanup, investigation, and wider debate about the safety of oil-sands pipeline transportation.
2010
Controversy surrounding Keystone XL
Keystone XL became the subject of prolonged environmental, political, legal, landowner, and Indigenous-rights controversy before its U.S. presidential permit was revoked and the project was terminated.
Disputed claims about political influence in British Columbia
A former executive reportedly claimed in an internal external-relations meeting that the company had helped exclude pipelines from the scope of provincial legislation in British Columbia. A TC Energy representative characterized those claims as exaggerated and untrue.
Brand decisions
2024
Spin off the Liquids Pipelines businessM&ABackground
TC Energy reorganized its portfolio to separate crude-oil and other liquids infrastructure from its continuing natural-gas, power and storage businesses.
Action taken
The company completed the spinoff of its Liquids Pipelines business, creating South Bow Corporation.
Aftermath
TC Energy became more concentrated on natural-gas pipelines and storage, power generation and selected energy-transition projects.
2021
Termination of Keystone XLOtherBackground
The U.S. presidential permit for Keystone XL was revoked, removing a central authorization for the proposed cross-border crude-oil pipeline.
Action taken
TC Energy terminated the Keystone XL project and began winding down associated development activity.
Aftermath
The project was not completed, and the company refocused attention on its operating infrastructure and other energy projects.
2019
Adopt the TC Energy corporate nameStrategyBackground
The former TransCanada identity was strongly associated with pipelines, while the company had expanded into power generation and energy storage.
Action taken
TransCanada Corporation changed its name to TC Energy Corporation.
Aftermath
The new name positioned the company as a broader North American energy-infrastructure operator while retaining the established TC identity.
2019
Rebrand as TC EnergyStrategyBackground
The company’s operations had expanded beyond its original Canadian pipeline identity into U.S. natural-gas systems, crude-oil transportation, power generation, and storage.
Action taken
TransCanada Corporation changed its legal and corporate identity to TC Energy Corporation.
Aftermath
TC Energy became the principal corporate brand, while TransCanada Pipelines remained a historical name associated with the company and some of its assets.
2016
Acquire Columbia Pipeline GroupM&ABackground
TC Energy sought to expand its U.S. natural-gas transportation platform and gain access to Appalachian production and related markets.
Action taken
The company acquired Columbia Pipeline Group from NiSource shareholders for approximately US$13 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction added substantial pipeline infrastructure in Pennsylvania and surrounding states and increased TC Energy's scale in U.S. gas transportation.
Transaction value. (2016)
Recent events
Suncor and Indigenous partners announce plans to acquire TC Energy’s pipeline stake[3]
Reported:
Suncor and the Tahsipiy (Three Rivers) group of eight Indigenous communities announced plans to acquire TC Energy’s 15% share in the Northern Courier Pipeline. The purchase would be completed by Astisiy LP.
TC Energy agrees to sell remaining Northern Courier Pipeline stake[4]
Reported:
TC Energy signed an agreement to sell its remaining 15% stake in the Northern Courier Pipeline to a partnership including Suncor Energy and eight Indigenous communities. The sale was expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to customary conditions and required regulatory approvals.
TC Energy donates $5,000 to E.E. Oliver nutrition program[5]
Reported:
TC Energy donated $5,000 to the breakfast and nutrition program at E.E. Oliver Elementary School.
OPG completes acquisition of Ontario gas-fired plants[6]
Reported:
Ontario Power Generation, through a new subsidiary operating as Atura Power, completed its acquisition from TC Energy of a portfolio of combined-cycle natural gas-fired plants in Ontario for approximately $2.8 billion, subject to customary closing adjustments.
TC Energy announces investment to expand Western Canadian pipeline network[7]
Reported:
Along with its earnings report, TC Energy announced a $1.2 billion investment to expand its pipeline network in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.
TC Energy reports third-quarter earnings[7]
Reported:
TC Energy reported third-quarter net income of $739 million, compared with $928 million in the same quarter a year earlier, and adjusted earnings of $970 million.
Sources7 sources
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