As the province’s nuclear capacity dwindles, a lack of renewables is putting pressure on natural gas. But there are other options for a power grid that’s anything but simple. Ontario’s power grid is the province’s pride and joy.

It is among the cleanest in the world and the tool by which Ontario achieves all its climate goals. If your power is largely emissions free, everything you do with it is also counted as largely emissions free.

But Ontario’s energy supply is about to become really, really complicated. The province’s thirst for clean energy to power a growing clean economy and electric transportation industry is quickly outpacing supply. By 2025, Ontario will be temporarily without a significant amount of its nuclear energy and so far plans to replace it with less clean, more controversial natural gas. Alternative energy sources and solutions are sparse

Meanwhile, the climate emergency poses physical threats to the power grid too. In May, hundreds of thousands of Ontario residents were without power for days after a deadly derecho storm. Electricity distribution and transmission infrastructure was destroyed by hurricane-like winds, and scientists say this type of extreme weather event will become more frequent.

The Ford government doesn’t have a plan for all this — yet. Until that happens, here’s what you need to know about Ontario’s power grid and the struggles ahead to keep it clean.

https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-electricity-grid/

How is Ontario’s electricity system organized? 

Ontario’s power industry is complicated and layered. Generators like the Crown corporation Ontario Power Generation, which supplies 50 per cent of the province’s electricity, produce the power supply. Transmitters like Hydro One transport power to towns and cities across the province, while local distributors like Toronto Hydro and Hydro Ottawa ensure the power reaches households, schools and businesses. Meanwhile, the Independent Electricity Systems Operator monitors and balances the supply and demand of the entire system.

The industry is regulated by the Ontario Energy Board, which is meant to ensure natural gas and electricity companies follow the rules and don’t abuse customers.

Energy policy, though, is centrally planned and managed by the Ministry of Energy.

How clean is Ontario’s power?

It’s pretty clean — 94 per cent to be exact, meaning only six per cent of our electricity supply emits carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming. In total, electricity generation makes up less than three per cent of Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions.

That’s largely because Ontario decided to eliminate coal-fired power plants, which in 2003 accounted for a quarter of generating capacity. It achieved this goal in 2014, making it the first jurisdiction in North America to do so. To date, this decision is lauded as the single largest emissions reduction measure across the world.

Since 2005, emissions from electricity generation have plummeted by 90 per cent, equivalent to taking over 9.4 million cars in total off the road.

As of March 2022, Ontario’s electricity supply mix was made up of 34 per cent nuclear, 28 per cent natural gas, 23 per cent hydro, 13 per cent wind, one per cent solar and less than one per cent biofuel — though not all used to their full capacity. For example, 60 per cent of Ontario’s energy comes from nuclear power.

This interactive map from the Independent Electricity Systems Operator shows where these many sources of electricity are located across the province.