With the help of new renewable energy and electricity conservation, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) expects Ontario's grid to remain reliable over the next 18 months.
In its latest 18-Month Outlook report, which covers the period from January 2016 to June 2017, the IESO says about 1,850 MW of new supply – 1,300 MW of wind, 300 MW of natural gas and 240 MW of solar generation – will be added to the province's transmission grid over the forecast period.
By the end of the period, the amount of grid-connected wind and solar generation is expected to increase to about 4,550 MW and 380 MW, respectively. Meanwhile, distribution-connected wind generation over the same period is expected to increase to about 700 MW, and distribution-connected solar generation is expected to increase to about 2,150 MW.
In addition to renewable energy, the IESO suggests demand response (DR) will play a big role in keeping the lights on in Ontario. The recently announced results from the IESO's first DR auction will contribute DR capacity of 391.5 MW for the 2016 summer season and 403.7 MW for the 2016-17 winter season.
