February 22, 2011

Ontario has taken the next step forward to implementing the government’s 20-year long-term energy plan–Building Our Clean Energy Future–by issuing the final directive that requires the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to implement the key aspects of the supply mix. This means the OPA will consult with partners and the public as it develops the comprehensive energy plan for submission to the Ontario Energy Board later this year.

Key elements of the plan include:

• Closing all coal units by 2014 and fast-tracking the closure of two more coal units in 2011, three years ahead of schedule;
• Building the largest expansion in hydroelectric power in almost 40 years, with major projects such as the Niagara Tunnel Project and the Lower Mattagami River hydro expansion;
• Securing clean and reliable nuclear power as a baseload for half of Ontario’s power supply;
• Creating more than 50,000 jobs in the clean energy economy–more than 13,000 to date;
• Helping reduce costs for consumers and making the power system more efficient through conservation by targeting 7100MW and 28 terawatt-hours of conservation by 2030.

The plan also includes increasing Ontario’s renewable power supply from sources like wind, solar and bio-energy by 10 percent, up to 10,700MW.

The province is also instructing Hydro One to move forward immediately with several transmission projects, which include upgrades to existing lines and building a new one west of London, and upgrades in Southwestern Ontario. Hydro One is also set to begin upgrading “key transformer stations” to enable the connection of small-scale renewable energy projects across the province.

In order to ensure the timely, efficient implementation of the plan, the Ontario Energy Board will complete its review of the energy plan within one year. More than 20 businesses have announced they are creating new jobs in Ontario, setting up plants to manufacture parts for the solar and wind industry including plants in Toronto, Windsor and Burlington.