Ontario Waterpower Expansion to Continue

Additional procurement required to meet 9,300 MW target

TORONTO, April 5, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) responded positively to today's announcement from the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy regarding the next procurement of waterpower under the Large Renewables Procurement (LRP) and Feed in Tariff (FIT) Programs. The OWA will continue to work with the Ministry and with other provincial ministries to ensure that the target of 9,300 MW of waterpower in service by 2025 is achieved.

"Ontario has significant untapped waterpower resources and I am confident we can meet or exceed the 9,300 MW target," said Paul Norris, OWA President. "However, it is imperative that procurement for long lead time renewable energy projects such as waterpower be aligned with transmission and distribution availability at the time of commissioning rather than at the time of contracting."

The Minister of Energy today issued a Directive to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), updating the LRP and FIT procurements. Implementation of the Directive will result in additional progress toward the target for hydro established in the 2013 Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP). These procurements are in addition to those specific to hydro, including the Hydroelectric Standard Offer Program (HESOP) and the Hydroelectric Contract Initiative (HCI). Additional waterpower procurement and/or expansion will be required to meet the 2025 objective – precisely the time period at which additional supply is expected to be required.

"The OWA looks forward to contributing to the development and implementation of the next Long Term Energy Plan," added Norris. "We expect that the revised LTEP will update the potential for Northern hydro, pumped storage, optimizing existing infrastructure and opportunities for remote First Nations."

SOURCE Ontario Waterpower Association

Stephanie Landers, Communications and Public Outreach Coordinator, Ontario Waterpower Association, 866-743-1500 ext. 25, [email protected]