FAQs
What is the government doing to support 'green power'?
What incentives does the government provide for alternative energy?
What is the process for developing a wind farm in Ontario?
What is a Power Purchase Agreement?
How are wind projects selected to sign Power Purchase Agreements?
What approvals are required for wind farms?
As a landowner, how can I learn more about the opportunities to participate?
The REDO document contains valuable information for potential developers of renewable energy sources in Ontario.
Funding, federal and provincial legislation and financial assistance, tax refunds, regulations, project licensing information, environmental assessment information, and much more.
Renewable Energy
Supporting renewable energy is a key component of the Ontario government's plan as it builds a cleaner sustainable energy future for Ontario. The Ministry of Energy has set a target for the province to produce five per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2007and ten per cent by 2010.
Renewables in the News
- Ontario's "Big Becky" Drills to Prosperity
Niagara Tunnel Project To Boost Energy Supply, Jobs And Opportunity
August 8 — Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty helped unveil "Big Becky," the 2,000-ton machine that will dig a tunnel at the Sir Adam Beck Generating Complex. The tunnel will boost capacity at the plant and increase the province's supply of clean energy.
Click here to read the full news release on the Premier's website. ![[]](/web/20061218191616im_/http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/images/icon_external3.gif){kind=icon}
- McGuinty Government Opens Ontario's Largest Wind Farm
April 13, 2006 — The McGuinty government is ensuring renewable energy is a key part of Ontario's future energy supply mix with the opening of the Erie Shores wind farm on the north shore of Lake Erie, Energy Minister Donna Cansfield announced today.The 99-megawatt project is the third new wind farm to open in Ontario in the last two months and is Ontario's largest new wind project. The project's 66 turbines will generate enough electricity to power over 25,000 homes.
Read more >> - Standard Offer : Expanding Opportunities For Renewable Energy In Ontario
March 21, 2006 — Ontario is leading the way in using clean, renewable electricity by setting a standard price that will make it easier for entrepreneurs and businesses to sell clean power from small projects to the grid, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced today.
"We're taking a bold new step that will allow hundreds of small, local, renewable energy producers to get into the energy market — providing cleaner energy that will help meet Ontario's needs today — and in the future," said Premier McGuinty.
Read more >> - Melancthon Wind Project
The Melancthon Grey Wind Project near Shelburne consists of 45 GE wind turbines, each rated at 1.5 megawatts for a total capacity of 67.5 megawatts.
Read more >> - Glen Miller Hydro
One of the oldest hydroelectric sites on Trent-Severn waterway in eastern Ontario is being revitalized.
Read more >> - Kinsgbridge Wind Farm
The new Kingsbridge Wind Farm near Goderich will provide power for up to 12,000 homes.
Read more >> - Ecotricity Landfill Gas
The Eastview Landfill Gas Energy Plant was the first renewable energy project to begin operations as a result of the Ontario Government's renewable procurement process.
Read more >>
Net Metering Info
Electricity consumers in Ontario who produce some of their own power may now take advantage of 'net metering'.
The Ministry of Energy has filed a net metering regulation which allows electricity customers who install their own renewable generation equipment to return electricity to the grid for credit. The new regulation eliminates inconsistencies across the province and requires that distributors permit net metering for all eligible projects that produce up to 500 kilowatts. Projects that produce electricity from clean sources such as water, wind, solar power and farm biomass are eligible.
The Ministry has produced a brochure to assist consumers who are interested in learning more about net metering.
Click here for more information
Renewable Portfolio Standard
On April 28th, 2004, the government initiated a renewable energy Request for Proposals (RFP). This will help the government implement our Renewable Portfolio Standard - 5 per cent (1,350 megawatts) of all generating capacity is to come from new renewable sources by 2007 and 10 per cent (2,700 megawatts) by 2010.
Successful proponents were announced on November 24, 2004. For complete details, please read the November 24 news release.
In accordance with provincial competitive tender guidelines, all correspondence relating to the RFPs was made through the Ontario Electricity RFP website.
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The Ontario government has identified the need to support renewable energy, and provides a number of tax incentives for clean, alternative or renewable electricity generation facilities and residential systems. For additional detailed information on the tax initiatives listed below, please contact the nearest Ontario Ministry of Finance Tax Office listed under Taxes - Provincial (Retail) Sales Tax in the blue pages of your telephone directory, or call the TAX Fx Service at 1-877-4-TAX-Fx (1-877-482-9329), or visit the Ministry of Finance's website at www.trd.fin.gov.on.ca
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