Ontario Meets Demand Of A Hot Summer
September 2, 2010 10:45 AM
McGuinty Government Investments Create A Stronger, Cleaner Electricity System
Despite being one of the hottest summers on record, Ontario’s energy system has had more than enough power to meet demand.
Ontario has added over 8,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy supply to the province over the past seven years. That is more than 20 per cent of current capacity and enough energy to provide electricity to millions of homes.
These essential investments have ensured Ontario’s energy system has been able to meet this year’s peak demand of 25,075 MW.
Ontario’s electricity supply is also cleaner as coal generation is phased out and new cleaner forms of energy are brought online – including about 1,400 MW from wind, water, sun and biogas. To date, Ontario has also recorded fewer smog advisories this year than the annual total of all but one of the previous nine years.
In addition, Ontarians are doing their part to help reduce costs and protect the environment by conserving energy. Over 1,700 MW have been conserved since 2003.
QUICK FACTS
- Each time the temperature rises a degree above 16°C, it’s like adding a city the size of Burlington to Ontario’s electricity system.
- From 1996 to 2003, Ontario’s installed generation capacity fell by about six per cent while demand grew by more than eight per cent. That’s the equivalent of Niagara Falls running dry.
- Ontario is committed to eliminating coal use at electricity generation facilities by the end of 2014.
- In 2009, generation from Ontario’s coal plants was the lowest in 45 years, down more than 70 per cent compared to 2003.
- Programs like the peaksaver air conditioning cycle-down program, the Great Refrigerator Roundup fridge retirement program and the Cool Savings Rebate on central air heating and cooling systems helped Ontarians conserve electricity and save on their bills this summer.
