Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project celebrated its completion earlier this week.   Work began on “the line that brings light” in 2016 to connect 17 remote First Nations communities in northwest Ontario to the provincial electricity grid. With the line now in full service, these communities can end their dependence on diesel generators and now have the infrastructure in place to support future community growth and economic development. Congratulations to Wataynikaneyap Power and the 24 partner communities for bringing this work to completion - redefining how the electricity sector does business with Indigenous communities and representing a significant step forward on our reconciliation journey.    For more information about Canada’s largest First Nations-led infrastructure project, visit: https://lnkd.in/eE9Sfnd8

The IESO’s recent forecasts show that demand will increase by 75 per cent by 2050 because of new industrial facilities, proposed data centres, and further electrification of homes and industry. To help meet this demand, the IESO is moving forward with the Long-Term 2 Request for Proposal (LT2 RFP), in which final details were announced today.   The LT2 RFP has been designed with an “all of the above” approach, considering all eligible resources to ensure our electricity system remains reliable and affordable. The IESO is also accelerating procurement timelines and increasing megawatt targets.  This work will build on the many actions already taken to competitively secure new sources of electricity, including Canada’s largest energy storage procurement to date, the annual Capacity Auction and ongoing energy efficiency programs.  The submission window for the Long-Term 2 RFP is on-track to launch early-2025. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gehrKUrA.

The results are in, and the IESO’s 2024 Capacity Auction was its most competitive ever: 2,122 megawatts (MW) of supply for summer 2025 and 1,524.6 MW for winter 2025-2026 were procured at a lower clearing price than last year’s auction. The capacity secured in 2024 will help to ensure reliability through summer 2025 and winter 2025-26 obligation periods, with clearing prices of $332.39/MW-day and $139.00/MW-day, respectively. Compared with the 2023 auction, the IESO secured about 15 per cent more megawatts at prices that were lower by 11 per cent (summer) and six per cent (winter). These results demonstrate the benefits of robust competition among a large pool of participants, including continued interest from new participants, and the IESO’s stakeholder engagement efforts to continuously enhance auction features and participation requirements. This year saw significant growth in participation with eight new organizations participating in the auction, while dispatchable load resources saw a 47 per cent increase in cleared capacity compared with last year’s auction, the largest increase seen among eligible Capacity Auction resource types. For clearing prices and other details, please see the post-auction report, which will require the use of the Microsoft Edge web browser. https://lnkd.in/gZS9BEq8

From offering flexible hybrid work models to creating learning and development opportunities for individuals at all stages of their careers, the IESO is always striving to build a better workplace. Today, we are honoured to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2025.    That the IESO continues to be recognized for workplace best practices speaks to the strides we have made in building a strong culture and enhancing the employee experience.   To learn more about why the IESO has been recognized as a top employer for four consecutive years, visit: https://lnkd.in/gZayrumW Canada's Top 100 Employers

The average Canadian driver gets behind the wheel 400 hours a year – which means their cars are not in use 95 per cent of the time. Now imagine hundreds and thousands of electric vehicles sitting idle in parking lots and garages across Ontario while their owners go about their day. This scenario is just around the corner and, unlike internal combustion engines, EVs can be used while parked by tapping into the energy stored in their batteries to support grid reliability. This is something the IESO is exploring through its Grid Innovation Fund by funding projects that push innovative approaches to managing the grid. Several IESO staff visited an underground parking garage in mid-town Toronto to see how the building charges electric vehicles when demand is low and uses that energy when demand is high to offset needs from the grid… all without compromising the energy drivers need to get home.  As EV sales increase the potential for these mobile batteries will grow exponentially. Thanks to Thomas Martin for showing us SWTCH’s EV charging technology in action.

Ontario’s economy is growing and demand for electricity is forecasted to rise 75 per cent by 2050. Significant growth is driven by the industrial sector, where electricity demand is forecast to grow by 23 TWh, or 58 per cent, by 2035, which is like adding a city the size of Toronto to the grid. Several factors are driving this growth, including international investment in EV battery manufacturing and the ongoing electrification of the mining sector in northern Ontario. As part of the IESO’s reliability toolkit, industrial energy efficiency is a valuable resource that helps reduce demand. SaveonEnergy Ontario offers industrial-focused programs, as well as training and support, to help industries improve their energy efficiency and energy management practices to cut costs, increase competitiveness and improve grid reliability. For more information on Ontario’s industrial programs and incentives, visit https://lnkd.in/gJ8f3umh

The ninth annual National Energy Roundtable took place in Toronto where the theme and discussions centred on the energy transition and keeping pace with demand.  Lesley Gallinger was invited to deliver a keynote, offering her vision for how IESO is preparing for a pivotal time in our sector — amidst growing demand for electricity, decarbonization, and emerging technologies. “Together, we can create an orderly and accelerated energy transition, achieving our shared objectives. This moment is both a challenge and an opportunity — a chance to build a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity system that will benefit future generations and support innovation and economic development. I look forward to what we can achieve together as we navigate this critical juncture in Ontario’s energy future.”   

Capital Power Corporation, Thorold CoGen L.P., Atura Power, St. Clair Power L.P., TransAlta (SC) L.P. (NQS Generation Group) has applied to the Ontario Energy Board for a review of amendments to the market rules made by the Independent Electricity System Operator. Learn more. Have your say. Capital Power Corporation, Thorold CoGen L.P., Atura Power, St. Clair Power L.P., TransAlta (SC) L.P. (NQS Generation Group) a demandé à la Commission de l’énergie de l’Ontario d’examiner les modifications apportées aux règles du marché par l’opérateur indépendant du réseau d’électricité. Apprendre encore plus. Exprimez-vous. https://lnkd.in/gziWJ_Ea Notice (English): https://lnkd.in/g7Rc9nXW Notice (French): https://lnkd.in/gMQ5XrzK

Today, Ontarians took a moment of silence to honour our veterans. On Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, 2024 at 11 a.m., the IESO control room saw a decrease of about 300 MW in electricity demand as we honoured those who gave their lives to serve our country. Lest we forget.

The First Nations Energy Symposium is an important time of the year for the IESO. It is our opportunity to hear from First Nations leaders and community members on ways to further Indigenous leadership in the electricity sector and advance reconciliation. It was my privilege to address First Nations from across the province this morning on the steps the IESO is taking to strengthen our relationships and facilitate Indigenous participation in the energy transition. The future of our electricity system depends on everyone working together, including generators, transmitters, municipalities, developers and Indigenous communities. We cannot empower progress without meaningful partnerships, which is the key theme for this year's Symposium. The IESO is committed to listening to First Nations perspectives and building shared understanding and support for Indigenous leadership in the sector. This goes beyond meeting communities where they are to foster true economic, social and environmental reconciliation for current and future generations.