STATEMENT: Ontario getting closer to new competitive energy procurement  

CanREA welcomes Ontario Minister of Energy and Electrification’s announcement of a new letter to the IESO, bringing the province one step closer to a highly anticipated procurement. 

King City, Ontario, August 28, 2024—The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) welcomes Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce’s announcement today to advance the launch of the second long-term (LT2) procurement, through a ministerial letter to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). 

The announcement took place on location at Kinghaven Farms—an agricultural operation powered by more than 1,000 rooftop solar panels—where Minister Lecce was joined at the podium by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Rob Flack, the Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff, local MPPs Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Logan Kanapathi, Laura Smith and Daisy Wai, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture President Drew Spoelstra, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario President Robin Jones, and CanREA’s Vice President of Policy—Eastern Canada and Utility Affairs, Leonard Kula. 

“Today’s announcement is positive news for the renewables industry, and positive news for Ontario,” said Kula in his remarks. 

This announcement brings the industry one step closer to the LT2 procurement of 5,000 MW of new electricity resources by 2034, including wind and solar, which was first introduced last December.

“This is a highly anticipated procurement and we are excited to get started,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA).  

“CanREA’s member companies have decades of experience building renewable energy and energy storage projects across Canada, in successful partnerships with project stakeholders and rights holders such as Indigenous communities, municipalities, landowners and farmers. Together with these partners, our members are ready to quickly deploy new, low-cost and reliable wind and solar projects in Ontario, to help extend the province’s clean-energy advantage,” said Bellissimo. 

At press time, the content of the ministerial letter has not yet been made public, but Minister Lecce made clear in his remarks that:  

• The procurement should be transparent, competitive and cost-effective. 

• It should secure technology-agnostic energy resources, including wind and solar. 

• The IESO is expected to report back with a procurement design framework by September 20, 2024, and consider how to conclude energy and capacity procurements by February 28, 2026. 

“When it comes to growing the electricity system, we need competitive, efficient and effective procurements. CanREA has been actively working with government and agencies to create the environment in which such procurements can be successful. We will continue to stress the importance of visibility, predictability and transparency in procurement design,” said Kula. 

Specifically, it will be important to refine the procurement process and ensure that Ontario has clear regulations around three key factors for success: appropriate project siting, crown land access, and the transmission assets required to bring this affordable and clean power to customers.  

With the support of rural municipalities, and in partnership with Indigenous communities, responsibly sited wind energy, solar energy and energy storage projects can support economic growth across the province.  

As the lowest-cost source of new, quickly deployable electricity generation available today, renewables are a critical part of the solution for Ontario’s growing energy needs. 

Quotes

“This is a highly anticipated procurement and we are excited to get started. CanREA’s member companies have decades of experience building renewable energy and energy storage projects across Canada, in successful partnerships with project stakeholders and rights holders such as Indigenous communities, municipalities, landowners and farmers. Together with these partners, our members are ready to quickly deploy new, low-cost and reliable wind and solar projects in Ontario, to help extend the province’s clean-energy advantage.”  

—Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)  

“Today’s announcement is positive news for the renewables industry, and positive news for Ontario. When it comes to growing the electricity system, we need competitive, efficient and effective procurements. CanREA has been actively working with government and agencies to create the environment in which such procurements can be successful. We will continue to stress the importance of visibility, predictability and transparency in procurement design.” 

—Leonard Kula, CanREA’s Vice President of Policy—Eastern Canada and Utility Affairs 

For interview opportunities, please contact: 

Michaela Ianni, Communications Specialist 
Canadian Renewable Energy Association 
communications@renewablesassociation.ca 

About CanREA  

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult “Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision.” Follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.