Ontario has set ambitious but realistic goals in the adoption of alternative energy -
- To phase out coal-fired generation by 2014
- To have 10% of Ontario's generating capacity come from renewable sources by 2010
- To have 45% - 15,700 megawatts (MW) - of Ontario's electricity supply come from conservation and renewable sources by 2025
As part of its overall energy strategy, the Province of Ontario is encouraging the production of energy from alternative processes at sites across the province. It has established a set of guaranteed prices through the Feed-in Tariff Program with attractive prices for each kilowatt/hour (kWh) of energy produced from alternative sources. FIT payments can range from 10.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) for landfill gas projects larger than 10 MW to 80.2 c/kWh for residential solar rooftop projects 10 kW or smaller. As well, a new Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (REFO) acts as a one-window access point for information on the approval processes, the FIT framework and other aspects of establishing a renewable generation facility. It also provides an important liaison between developers, communities and municipalities during the information gathering and consultation process.
Ontario's current generation mix from renewable sources includes 7,911 MW of hydroelectric generation, and 1,159 MW of energy from alternative sources. There are over 100 renewable energy projects either operating, under construction, or committed across the province.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Energy, 2007 (11/2009)
