March 25, 2015 – Preliminary results indicate Ontario scored strong energy conservation results in 2014, said the province’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

The results show that local distribution companies (LDCs) across Ontario achieved 98% (5,882 GWh) of cumulative energy savings, against their energy-savings target set by the Ontario Energy Board of 6,000 GWh for the 2011-2014 period. The IESO said it expects this target to be surpassed when the verified results come in.

On the peak-demand reduction target of 1,330 megawatts (MW), LDCs achieved 60% (798 MW).

“Conservation benefits both customers and the provincial power system,” said Terry Young, vice-president of conservation and corporate relations with IESO. “These results show how consumers have been able to use saveONenergy programs to take control of their energy use and reduce both their current and future energy costs. For each dollar invested in conservation, about two dollars are saved in avoided generation.”

Preliminary 2014 conservation results will now undergo “a rigorous evaluation, measurement and verification process,” said IESO. Final results will be released by later this year.