Electricity capacity in Ontario may not be enough to meet demand this summer, warn two energy authorities. This situation would force the province to depend on other states or provinces. The Windsor-Essex region in the South West is particularly at risk of power shortages due to the growth of its industrial sector.
At its peak this summer, Ontario could consume 22,439 megawatts of electricity, says a report from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) released in March.
Under extreme temperature conditions, consumption would reach 24,420 megawatts. For comparison, the July 9, 2020 peak of 24,446 megawatts was a seven-year-old record, according to the IESO.
The IESO anticipates that the provincial grid may need to import electricity to meet its energy needs this summer, particularly in an extreme weather scenario. The needs of the coming months will arise in particular due to production interruptions planned or already underway for refurbishment work.