Wind Turbines Update: Ontario Government Cancels LRP II process
Sep 28, 2016
On September 27th, 2016, the province cancelled Phase II of the Large Renewable Procurement process. This is the process which includes proposals for wind turbines. The Minister of Energy stated in a letter to the IESO that "Ontario will benefit from a robust supply of energy over the coming decade to meet projected demand...Given Ontario's strong energy position and in the interest of maintaining an affordable electricity system, the government has determined that it will suspend the planned LRP II."
Bon Echo Area Residents Against Turbines
BEARAT Applauds Government’s Cancellation of Large Renewable Procurement II
North Frontenac - Members of Bon Echo Area Residents Against Turbines (BEARAT) are applauding the Government of Ontario's decision to cancel the LRP II process that has been underway. BEARAT has called for the government to take this step consistently since the conclusion of LRP I.
"I want to sincerely thank Mayor Higgins and the North Frontenac Council for their leadership on this issue and encouraging more than 115 municipalities to pass motions calling for projects not to proceed in communities where local support does not exist," said Dan Carruthers, Co-Chair of BEARAT. "We see this cancellation as the first step toward the Government recognizing the role local democracy should play in future energy decisions."
"This is a vindication of the arguments we've put forward against the large renewable procurement process and the proposed projects that were anticipated," said John Laforet of Broadview Strategy Group Inc., who has been working with BEARAT to successfully prevent the approval of more than 470MW of large industrial wind projects proposed by NextEra Canada and RES as part of large renewable procurement.
BEARAT is calling on the Government of Ontario to go further and enshrine within the Long Term Energy Plan solutions to prevent proponents from being able to divide communities and seek to place wind turbines in areas that maximize their profits, without considering the broader impacts on Ontario's economic, environment and social interests.
The following is the news release from The Ministry of Energy.
Ontario Suspends Large Renewable Energy ProcurementDecision Will Reduce Electricity Costs for Consumers
September 27, 2016 9:00 A.M.
Ontario will immediately suspend the second round of its Large Renewable Procurement (LRP II) process and the Energy-from-Waste Standard Offer Program, halting procurement of over 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar, wind, hydroelectric, bioenergy and energy from waste projects.
This decision is expected to save up to $3.8 billion in electricity system costs relative to Ontario’s 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) forecast. This would save the typical residential electricity consumer an average of approximately $2.45 per month on their electricity bill, relative to previous forecasts. No additional greenhouse gas emissions are being added to the electricity grid.
On September 1, 2016, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) provided the Minister of Energy with the Ontario Planning Outlook, an independent report analyzing a variety of planning scenarios for the future of Ontario’s energy system. The IESO has advised that Ontario will benefit from a robust supply of electricity over the coming decade to meet projected demand.
Informed by the Ontario Planning Outlook, consultations and engagements will begin this fall with consumers, businesses, energy stakeholders and Indigenous partners regarding the development of a new Long-Term Energy Plan, which is scheduled to be released in 2017. As part of this plan, Ontario remains committed to an affordable, clean and reliable electricity system, including renewables.
Ontario has established itself as a North American leader in clean energy development, attracting billions of dollars in private sector investment and generating over 42,000 jobs in the clean technology sector. The province has about 18,000 MW of wind, solar, bioenergy and hydroelectric energy contracted or online and the electricity supply is now over 90 per cent emissions-free.
Responsible management of Ontario’s electricity system is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s new LTEP will be guided by a number of strategic themes including greenhouse gas reductions, innovation, grid modernization, conservation and energy efficiency, renewable energy, distributed energy and continued focus on energy affordability for homes and businesses.
- At the end of 2015, Ontario’s installed wind capacity represented almost 40 per cent of all installed wind capacity in Canada.
- Ontario is home to more than 99 per cent of all installed solar photovoltaic capacity in Canada.
- Ontario successfully eliminated coal-fired electricity generation in 2014, the single largest greenhouse gas emissions reduction action in North America.
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