newswire.ca Dec 15th
Ontario is in a strong position to decarbonize its rapidly growing electricity grid, with a moratorium on new natural gas generation being feasible starting in 2027, according to a new report requested by the province’s Minister of Energy and produced by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System (IESO).
IESO released its Annual Planning Outlook, Conservation and Demand Management Framework Mid-Term Review, and Pathways to Decarbonization — three important documents that form the basis of Ontario’s long-term energy plan.
The Pathways to Decarbonization report, finds that Ontario could begin moving toward a decarbonized grid starting with a moratorium on new gas generation beginning in 2027, if sufficient non-emitting supply are in place to meet growing electricity demand.
The 2022 Annual Planning Outlook forecasts electricity demand will increase almost two per cent annually over the next two decades, driven by economic growth and electrification.
The 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management Framework Mid-Term Review presents a plan for future energy and demand savings, including new programming, to help meet emerging system needs in 2025 and beyond.
These reports build on the IESO’s ongoing efforts to make the plans and investments today that will help prepare for Ontario’s electricity system of the future.