There’s a renewed vision for energy conservation in Ontario.
Energy Minister, Bob Chiarelli, says the province’s long-term energy plan will be founded on conservation, since it’s the cleanest and least costly energy resource.
The provincial minister was in Thunder Bay, Thursday, to speak at the annual Canadian Bioenergy Association Conference.
Chiarelli says Ontario will begin studying new types of procurement, next year.
“If we define a need for, hypothetically, 300 or 400 megawatts of electricty, then anybody can bid on it,” he says, “so conservation, if we can reduce consumption then that can be used as part of the megawatt target.”
Chiarelli says Ontario is serious about assuming leadership in the bioeconomy, as the first jurisdiction in North America to eliminate polluting coal by 100 per cent.
“By 2025, we expect to have 50 per cent of our capactiy coming from renewables.”
He adds the impact of green energy on Northwestern Ontario is felt beyond the environment.
According to Chiarelli, the Atikokan Generating Station’s recent biomass conversion is creating jobs – led by Lakehead University and Confederation College.
“At the Universtiy and the College, where they’re engaging the biomass industry in terms of learning and evolving partnerships with the private sector, that in itself is creating a new industry for Ontario, right here in the north.”
He adds the conversion has also helped rejuvinate the forestry industry. (Photo: Caryn Ceolin)
