Toronto, ON – 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, provided new storage, nuclear, renewables and expanded conservation efforts are ready. This conclusion comes from a new report requested by the Minister of Energy and produced by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), one of three reports released today that focus on the transformation of Ontario’s electricity system.
The simultaneous release of the IESO’s Annual Planning Outlook, Conservation and Demand Management Framework Mid-Term Review, and Pathways to Decarbonization, highlights the progress being made to prepare Ontario’s electricity system for the future as well as the work needed to address the challenges ahead.
“With one of the cleanest electricity grids in North America, Ontario has a real advantage in enabling the decarbonization of the broader economy,” said Lesley Gallinger, President and CEO of the IESO. “The process of fully eliminating emissions from the grid itself, however, will be a significant and complex undertaking. Through our ongoing commitment to work with a wide range of partners to assess risks and overcome challenges, we believe it is possible to achieve an orderly transition toward a decarbonized electricity system that remains reliable, affordable and sustainable.”