Ontario announces new long-term green energy plan

In a press conference in Windsor Monday, Minister of Energy Todd Smith introduced the province’s new energy plan that featured plans for Hamilton.

The new Powering Ontario’s Growth plan includes new zero-emissions electricity generation, long duration storage and transmission lines that the government says will provide both families and industries with a reliable, affordable and clean source of power.

Minister Smith says that in response to “unprecedented” investments and job creation numbers, Ontario’s electricity demand is on the rise for the first time since 2005.

The province additionally says that they are working with the steel industry to transition to the production of green steel in Hamilton, as well as in Sault Ste. Marie.

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Initiatives being run under the new plan include advancing nuclear energy and optimizing hydroelectric power generation to continue developments in affordable and reliable green energy.

Plans will also begin for the long-term procurement of non-emitting electricity resources including wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources.

The Powering Ontario’s Growth plan is the official government response to the Independent Electricity System Operators Pathways to Decarbonization report first published last December, that predicted future energy demands as a result of economic growth and electrification.

Critics say Ontario wouldn’t be in as much of an electricity supply crunch if the Progressive Conservative government hadn’t cancelled 750 green energy contracts during its first term

As of 2022, 90 per-cent of Ontario electricity generation came from non-emitting, green sources.

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