Plan To Double Conservation And Add New Electricity Supply To Keep Lights On

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Energy Minister Donna Cansfield announced she has directed the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to move forward with the Portlands Energy Centre (PEC) for 550 megawatts of new, clean gas-fired generation and to procure 300 megawatts of conservation to ensure Toronto has the power it needs in 2008 and beyond.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has warned that Toronto risks energy shortages unless 250 megawatts of supply are built by 2008, 500 megawatts are built by 2010 and energy conservation is maximized. The power lines bringing electricity to the city are almost at their maximum capacity during peak periods.

"In the 1960s, Toronto had half the population and 1,200 megawatts of generation in the city. Today, we have twice the population and almost no generation in the city," Cansfield said. "Our government is providing leadership and taking decisive action to keep the lights on in Toronto through a combination of conservation and clean electricity supply."

The government is moving forward with the PEC, which will generate 550 megawatts of clean gas-fired generation. The PEC will be delivered in two phases to meet the immediate and long-term electricity needs of the city.

Phase one will have 330 megawatts in service no later than the summer of 2008, and phase two will have 220 megawatts in 2009 along with cogeneration capabilities to supply thermal energy to district heating facilities or other customers.

"We need to move forward now to ensure Toronto has the power it needs by 2008 to keep the lights on in this city," Cansfield said.

"As a leading city of the world, it is important for Toronto to have power generation located in the downtown core," said Rob McLeese, Chair of the Toronto Board of Trade Electricity Task Force.

"The Portlands power project must move ahead as soon as possible. It will reduce air pollution in Toronto and it will dramatically increase the security and reliability of Toronto's electricity system," said Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

The McGuinty government has also directed the OPA to develop 300 megawatts of conservation and demand response in Toronto. Combined with the 250 megawatts of conservation programs by Toronto Hydro, this more than doubles the new conservation programs for the city.

"I'm pleased to see that the Province has stepped up to the plate and made conservation an equal priority to generation," said Chris Winter, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of Ontario. "I firmly believe we can address the challenge of reducing peak demand in Toronto through conservation."

Since taking office, the McGuinty government has set the wheels in motion for more than 10,000 megawatts of new supply and conservation measures throughout the province.