Since its inception in November 2006, the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) standard offer program has signed 36 contracts – totaling 238 MW of power – with small renewable generators to provide electricity to the Ontario grid.
The standard offer program is the culmination of a year-long process to encourage small generators to participate in the province's electricity system. The program is a collaboration among the OPA, the Ontario Energy Board, local distribution companies and organizations promoting renewable energy, the organization says.
The 20-year contracts, reported in the OPA's 2007 first quarter report, involve all four renewable fuels – solar, water power, bio-mass and wind. The projects include four small kilowatt residential solar photovoltaic installations, several 10 MW wind farms, one of the largest solar farms in the world and two water power projects that will be developed by partnerships with First Nations' interests.
According to the OPA, it is currently reviewing another 89 applications – contracts will be awarded as they are evaluated and reported quarterly.
