Feed-In Tariff Program Two-Year Review
FIT Review Recommendations in Development
Ontario’s clean energy industry is strengthening our economy by attracting new investment and creating new jobs. As you know, Ontario is currently completing the scheduled two year review of the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT).
The purpose of the review is to ensure the continued success and sustainability of the FIT program.
I worked closely with the Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority to conduct the review. Recommendations are being developed to protect the interests of ratepayers and encourage investments in new clean energy in Ontario. The expectation is that the recommendations, once accepted, will be implemented as quickly as possible.
Consultation has been central to the review process. Between October 31 and December 14, 2011, nearly 2,900 online surveys were completed and over 150 written submissions were received, and the province met with more than 80 stakeholders. This contribution has been invaluable as we move forward in developing changes to the FIT program to ensure its continued success.
I am working with the OPA and ministry staff to analyze the written submissions and comments we heard through the face-to-face meetings.
I expect to submit my recommendations to the minister in the near future.
– Fareed Amin
Deputy Minister
The province’s Green Energy Act and FIT program was launched in 2009 to:
- Make it easier and more efficient to bring renewable energy projects of all sizes online.
- Stimulate the economy and create jobs, making Ontario a clean energy leader.
- Help replace dirty coal-fired plants with cleaner sources of renewable energy, cleaning up the air, protecting the health of Ontarians and reducing the province’s environmental footprint.
Since the launch of the Green Energy Act and FIT program, the province has:
- Offered contracts for approximately 2,500 medium and large FIT Projects and over 11,000 microFIT projects have connected or are expected to connect soon. This represents enough electricity to power almost 1.2 million homes.
- Created more than 20,000 jobs and is on track to create 50,000 jobs by the end of 2012.
- Moved forward towards its goal of replacing coal fired generation by the end of 2014. Compared to 2003, Ontario has reduced its use of coal-fired power by 90%. In October 2010, the province closed four coal-fired power units, four years ahead of schedule.In total, Ontario has shut down eight of 19 coal units; the remaining units will close by the end of 2014.
Review Content
The review is intended to address a range of FIT program considerations.
Considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
- A careful examination of FIT pricing to maintain a balance between the interests of ratepayers and the continued encouragement of clean energy investment in Ontario. This is expected to result in reduced FIT prices for future contracts.
- Potential inclusion of new and emerging technology types.
- Assessment of government policies and tools to ensure that Ontario remains a center of manufacturing excellence and clean energy job creation.
- Consideration of outreach techniques to complement the province’s Renewable Energy Approval (REA) process.
