Ontario’s Integrated Energy Plan outlines a strategy for the province’s energy future, focusing on several key areas. The overarching vision includes establishing Ontario as a significant energy exporter, bolstering the province’s economic resilience, and actively encouraging investment in energy-related projects.

Nuclear power remains central to Ontario’s electricity generation, with plans for new nuclear power plant development underway. A significant effort is dedicated to expanding and modernizing the electricity transmission system, including streamlining development through exemptions from Leave to Construct and implementing a Competitive Transmitter Selection Framework & Registry. Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are also a priority, with modernization efforts aimed at local distribution systems, enhanced storm response, and improved cybersecurity for the province’s Local Distribution Companies. Mandatory Indigenous participation is included in battery storage procurement.

Significant investments are planned, including C$10.9 billion over 12 years for energy efficiency programs designed to reduce consumption and peak demand, coupled with enhancements to natural gas efficiency and improved data access. Increased support for Indigenous participation and leadership is a core component, featuring increased funding for the IESO’s Indigenous Energy Support Program (C$15 million annually) and expanded financing programs with increased loan guarantees (C$3 billion) through a simplified access point. Plans also involve exporting critical minerals, fuels, and other resources to international markets via a new James Bay port.

Specific timelines are established to guide the plan’s implementation. The IESO will launch a Transmitter Registry by August 15, 2025, and will present recommendations for DER regulatory and compensation frameworks by June 2026, identifying responsible parties to implement DER valuation recommendations by the same date. A Class Environmental Assessment Process, launched in 2024, aims to shorten project timelines.

The plan also focuses on reforming key processes. These include streamlining approvals for connecting to infrastructure, transitioning to competitive procurement for electricity transmission, and improving access to energy data and efficiency standards.

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Authors: Reena Goyal, Julia Bayne, Chloe Walker (Summer Law Student)