Exploring Ontario’s Pathways to Net-Zero Electricity - Pembina Institute response to the IESO Pathways to Decarbonization report

The Pembina Institute offers here comments and recommendations that the Ontario government and IESO may consider in order to understand how Ontario’s electricity sector can best support the province’s electrification efforts and energy transition, and take advantage of the economic opportunities available. [...] In Texas and in California, renewables have produced more than 70% of the grid’s energy supply.26 Solar, wind, and batteries are expected to generate more than 80% of the state of South Australia’s electricity in 2024,27 and the British National Grid, with a demand volume and capacity mix similar to Ontario’s28 believes it will reach the U. [...] The P2D report notes that this research “… shows that DERs have the potential to help meet Ontario’s future electricity demand, and they are gaining momentum in Ontario.” The Government of Ontario and the IESO are already exploring mechanisms to further integrate DERs and CDM mechanisms into its grid, and the Pembina Institute supports these efforts. [...] We encourage the IESO and the Government of Ontario to investigate other energy transition pathways to build on the province’s clean energy advantage and to ensure that Ontario can continue to serve a growing population and support clean economic growth such as electric vehicle and battery manufacturing. [...] Implement and add to the “no regret” actions in order to rapidly deploy non- emitting technologies The list of “no regret” actions recommended by the IESO are actions necessary to advance the rapid deployment of non-emitting technologies, regardless of the timeline for decarbonizing the grid.