More Wind Energy Essential to Ensure Affordable, Sustainable and Reliable Electricity in Ontario Over Coming Decades

New wind energy is low-cost, emissions-free, and mitigates future supply risks, making it the energy of choice for Ontario's Long-Term Energy Plan.

Important considerations for the future of Ontario's electricity supply such as affordability, protection of the environment, and power system reliability are key themes addressed in the Canadian Wind Energy Association's submission to the province's Long-Term Energy Plan.

New wind energy is now being contracted for as low as 6.45 cents per kilowatt hour in Ontario, well below the average cost for electricity generation of 11.14 cents as of May 1, 2016. Wind costs are forecast to continue declining while costs for other forms of new or refurbished generation are increasing. A low-cost emissions-free source of electricity generation, wind energy will be essential if the province is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent in 2050 as clean electricity will be needed to substitute for fossil fuels in transportation, industries and buildings. Wind energy can also play a major role in protecting Ontario's supply reliability, helping to mitigate potential risks associated with nuclear life extensions and refurbishments, natural gas commodity and carbon costs, and shortfalls in achieving conservation and demand management goals.

To maximize these benefits for Ontario customers, all new generation needed in the coming years should be procured competitively in order to secure the lowest-cost non-emitting electricity generation, as this provides the best value for consumers.