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The Ontario government has released its first-ever Integrated Energy Plan, Energy for Generations, aimed at securing clean, affordable and reliable energy for decades to come.
Unveiled June 12 by Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce, the plan unifies electricity, natural gas, hydrogen and emerging technologies into one long-term roadmap. Lecce says the strategy builds on Ontario’s hydroelectric and nuclear legacy while preparing the province to meet a projected 75 per cent increase in electricity demand over the next 25 years.
“Our government is thinking ahead, building for our children and grandchildren,” Lecce said. “Energy for Generations delivers the long-term vision needed to protect Ontario’s energy security and grow our economy.”
Lecce says Ontario is leading G7 counties in energy sovereignty.
The plan focuses on five key areas: modernizing the electricity grid, expanding generation and storage, unlocking distributed energy solutions, protecting access to affordable fuels, and increasing Indigenous equity partnerships in energy projects.
Lecce says the strategy aims to modernize the grid, expand nuclear capacity, and safeguard access to natural gas.
Associate Minister Sam Oosterhoff added that the strategy will help keep energy affordable while creating jobs and supporting Ontario’s manufacturing, agriculture and mining sectors.
The plan lays out priorities like boosting distributed energy solutions, supporting Indigenous equity partnerships, and turning Ontario into a global clean energy leader according to Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce.
Lecce says the provincial government is using technology and not taxation to drive down emissions and to grow the economy.
Ontario’s business, municipal and energy leaders widely praised the plan for offering the long-term certainty needed to drive growth and investment.
Written by Joseph Goden