{"id":64852,"date":"2024-01-20T08:04:51","date_gmt":"2024-01-20T13:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/?p=64852"},"modified":"2024-01-20T08:04:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-20T13:04:51","slug":"report-on-electrification-and-energy-future-identifies-opportunities-to-grow-ontarios-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/20\/report-on-electrification-and-energy-future-identifies-opportunities-to-grow-ontarios-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Report on Electrification and Energy Future Identifies opportunities to grow Ontario’s economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Todd Smith, Minister of Energy, released the following statement on Friday, January 19th, 2024:<\/p>\n

\u201cAccess to reliable, affordable and clean energy continues to be a key driver for Ontario\u2019s economic growth and electrification. Over the past six years, our government has laid the groundwork with a pragmatic and long-term view to meeting Ontario\u2019s energy needs through to 2050. Most recently, in July 2023, I launched Powering Ontario\u2019s Growth, which included Ontario\u2019s first large-scale nuclear build in a generation, expanded energy efficiency programs and more competitive procurements to meet Ontario\u2019s growing electricity needs.<\/p>\n

However, electricity is just one part of Ontario\u2019s diverse energy mix. That\u2019s why in April 2022, I established the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel to advise the government on how we can continue to leverage Ontario\u2019s clean grid and innovative energy sector to power Ontario\u2019s growing economy and population, especially as we pursue ambitious goals like building 1.5 million homes by 2031.<\/p>\n

The panel\u2019s final report, Ontario\u2019s Clean Energy Opportunity, builds on our government\u2019s Powering Ontario\u2019s Growth plan and provides valuable insights and recommendations for future long-term integrated planning. It also outlines the incredible opportunity Ontario has to leverage our clean energy advantage to continue to compete for and land new jobs and investments. I am particularly pleased to see that the panel shares our government\u2019s view that natural gas will continue to be an important part of Ontario\u2019s energy mix as we implement our pragmatic plan to invest in and bring online more clean nuclear energy. Unlike the previous Liberal government, which saddled families with sky-high hydro bills, our government is taking a thoughtful approach that avoids energy insecurity and keeps costs down for people and businesses.<\/p>\n

Moving forward, I will be working with leaders from Ontario\u2019s energy sector to carefully review the report\u2019s recommendations and advice. I look forward to announcing our next steps towards an integrated energy planning process later this year.<\/p>\n

My sincere thanks to Mr. David Collie for chairing the panel and to Dr. Monica Gattinger and Chief Emerita Emily Whetung for sharing their thoughtful insights and expertise. I would also like to thank the more than 200 Indigenous partners and communities, stakeholders, government departments and agencies and members of the public who provided input to the panel\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Powering Ontario\u2019s Growth outlines the actions the province is taking to meet electricity demand over the long-term, including:<\/p>\n