Feb 23 2009
Ontario's power producers congratulated the Government of Ontario and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure on the introduction of the Green Energy and Green Economy Act today.
The legislation, if passed, will give a major boost to Ontario's reputation as a world leader in renewable energy and result in increased investment in new renewable sources of electricity generation for Ontario in the coming years, APPrO president Dave Butters said.
Butters said that a "best-in class renewable energy feed-in tariff" combined with streamlined approvals processes and service guarantees has the potential to deliver Ontario's renewable energy targets faster than previously planned. He also noted that these changes could lead to significantly improved project certainty, which would in turn result in lower cost projects.
"APPrO members companies have been responsible for most of Ontario's contracted renewable energy projects so far. Renewable energy is good for the environment and the economy - we intend to work closely with the government over the next several months to make sure that the feed-in tariff is as big a success as it possibly can be," Butters said.
But he also emphasized that Ontario needs a balance between reliable emission-free nuclear, hydro and other lower-emissions generation together with renewable generation, which acting in combination, will lead Ontario to the lowest carbon energy system in North America. "We need to keep this important fact in mind if we are to continue to ensure reliable, low cost and secure energy for consumers of all kinds, whenever they need it," Butters added.
APPrO is a non-profit organization representing more than 100 companies involved in the generation of electricity in Ontario, including generators, suppliers of services, equipment and consulting services. APPrO members produce power from nuclear, hydro, fossil, wind, waste wood and other energy sources. APPrO's members currently produce over 95% of the electricity generated in Ontario.