Background

The Ontario Power Authority has recently conducted a renewable energy supply survey to better understand the near-term development potential of renewable projects.  This survey will provide the OPA with preliminary indications as to the potential overall program uptake, geographic distribution, and distribution between fuel and technology type. 

Developers were requested to complete a survey for projects greater than 10 kW that are in the planning or development stages. Projects currently holding a RESOP contract were excluded. 

General information was requested e.g. name, location, technology, capacity, LDC, connection point, transformer station, CIA/SIA status, financing status, level of site control and expected in-service date. 

The survey was distributed to the following groups:

• RESOP email news subscribers
• Renewable energy developers through industry associations
• Developers that have requested CIAs or SIAs (through Hydro One)
• Current RESOP contract holders

Results

The OPA received responses from approximately 150 developers representing 381 projects under various stages of development.  The survey results indicated a potential of 15,128MW of renewable energy supply, this figure also includes information gathered from recent OPA procurement initiatives.  This level of interest highlights the significant need for new transmission and distribution infrastructure investments to bring potential new supply onto the grid.     

• 46 Projects between 10 kW to 999 kW (16 MW in total)
• 220 Projects between 1 MW to 10 MW (1,641 MW in total)
• 115 Projects between 10.1MW to 600 MW (13,470 MW in total) 

Breakdown of Projects by Fuel Type

Location

Development of renewable energy projects are mainly concentrated in Southern Ontario. There is significant development interest in Central and Northern Ontario.