Ontario has set ambitious but realistic goals in the adoption of alternative energy -

• To phase out coal-fired generation by 2014
• To have 10% of Ontario's generating capacity come from renewable sources by 2010
• To have 45% - 15,700 megawatts (MW) - of Ontario's electricity supply come from conservation and renewable sources by 2025

As part of its overall energy strategy, the Province of Ontario is encouraging the production of energy from alternative processes at sites across the province. It has established a set of guaranteed prices through the Feed-in Tariff Program with attractive prices for each kilowatt/hour (kWh) of energy produced from alternative sources. FIT payments can range from 10.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) for landfill gas projects larger than 10 MW to 80.2 c/kWh for residential solar rooftop projects 10 kW or smaller. As well, a new Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (REFO) acts as a one-window access point for information on the approval processes, the FIT framework and other aspects of establishing a renewable generation facility. It also provides an important liaison between developers, communities and municipalities during the information gathering and consultation process.

Ontario's current generation mix from renewable sources includes 7,911 MW of hydroelectric generation, and 1,159 MW of energy from alternative sources. There are over 100 renewable energy projects either operating, under construction, or committed across the province.

Solar energy, either thermal or photovoltaic, has become the fastest-growing alternative energy technology globally. It is popular because it provides individuals and corporations with the ability to make an individual effort towards reducing the effects of climate change.

Solar systems are being installed in residential and commercial areas in Ontario. Exhibition Place in Toronto has constructed a 100 kW photovoltaic grid, the largest in Canada. WoodGreen Community Services hosts Ontario's largest solar thermal energy installation, which augments the hot-water supply of a multi-unit residential building in Toronto. As well, First Light Solar Park - currently the largest-scale commercial solar farm operation in Canada - is located in the township of Stone Mills, near Napanee, Ontario. With more than 126,000 solar panels spanning across 90 acres, this farm is expected to generate more than 10 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity in its first year -- enough to power 10,000 households - paving the way for Ontario to become a solar power leader in North America.

Since October 2003, Ontario has added more than 1,200 megawatts of new, renewable generation, including more than 150 solar projects of varying sizes, including residential systems and small arrays on commercial buildings, institutions and schools.

Source: Mondial Energy, Inc.; Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Ontario Power Authority (10/2007)

The following map indicates the potential for photovoltaic output in Ontario -

Source: Natural Resources Canada (3/2007)

Wind-source energy is becoming increasingly important in Ontario. It is beneficial to the environment as it creates no hazardous waste or emissions.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has identified a roster of potential wind-power generating sites amounting to more than 12,000 MW.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (3/2007)

Currently, Ontario has about 415 MW of installed wind energy capacity, with another 1000 MW planned. Erie Shores Wind Farm, on Lake Erie, and Prince Wind Farm, on Lake Superior, together produce almost 300 MW. More projects on a similar scale - e.g., the Enbridge Ontario Wind Farm, estimated to produce >180MW - are in the planning stage.

Source: Most recent data from Canadian Wind Energy Association. Windsight. 2005-2007 (11/2009)

The Ministry of Energy's Feed-in Tariff Program provides guaranteed purchase rates for energy producers harnessing the natural, clean wind alternative.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Ontario Power Authority; Canadian Wind Energy Association (10/2007)

Hydroelectric energy (hydro) is the primary source of renewable energy in Ontario, and makes up about one-quarter of Ontario's total energy supply. Its benefits include clean, relatively inexpensive operation, the use of a renewable resource, and long plant life - more than half of Ontario's hydro plants have been dependably producing electricity for 50 years or more.

The Ontario Power Authority and the Ontario Waterpower Association estimate a potential supply of almost 7,000 MW of waterpower in Ontario. Over 300 sites in Ontario have been identified as being suitable for hydro development. About 1,000 MW could be produced at facilities of less than 100 MW capacity each.

The Ministry of Energy's Feed-in Tariff Program encourages "run-of-the-river" projects, which take advantage of naturally-occurring drops in elevation to produce sufficient water flow for the turbines, which in turn reduces the environmental impact of power plants. As of summer 2007, nearly 70 MW of small hydro power was either in production or under construction.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Ontario Waterpower Association (10/2007)

Biomass represents a potentially large source of renewable energy. It can be derived from industrial or agricultural by-products diverted from the waste stream, or from crops grown specifically for the purpose of conversion to biofuels.

The most straightforward method of extracting energy from biomass is simple combustion. This can be useful at a local scale, either as a replacement for heat that would otherwise be generated from non-renewable resources, or in combined heat and power (CHP) applications. It is the most likely use of waste materials such as forestry by-product.

By trapping and burning landfill gas - which contains a high proportion of methane - from a de-commissioned landfill site in Guelph, Ontario, a local electricity utility is producing 2,500 KW of energy, while reducing the emission of methane into the atmosphere.

More complex technologies also exist, such as anaerobic digestion to convert a variety of raw materials into biofuels which can be transported to where they are needed.

Ontario has taken steps to promote the use of biomass as a source of energy. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) offers the Biogas Systems Financial Assistance Program, to encourage the development of anaerobic digesters. Ontario Regulation 232/98 under the Environmental Protection Act requires the collection of landfill gas for new or expanding landfill sites over a certain size, and the Government of Ontario now requires that an average of 5% of gasoline sold in the province be derived from biomass, such as ethanol.

The Ontario Power Authority estimates that an additional 450 MW of energy could be produced by biomass projects in the province by 2027, five times the current and committed capacity.

Sources: Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Ontario Power Authority; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (10/2007)