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Photo by Linda Heron
Category Archives: Large Energy Procurement
ORA Meeting with Minister Glenn Thibeault
The Ministry of Energy has included hydroelectric in its renewable energy mix, and the generous rates and peaking bonuses have encouraged a rash of new hydro facilities to be proposed, as well as upgrades and changes to operating strategies that allow facilities to hold water back from downstream flow in order to produce power during peak demand hours. Many power producers arbitrarily adjust their operating strategy by using seasonal operating bands to peak on a daily basis – without first conducting an environmental assessment to determine the potential impacts, or the sustainability of the operation.
Xeneca to Valued Stakeholders
Wabagishik Rapids, Vermilion River – Photo by Aleta Karstad
Given your past interest in one or more of our projects we wish to advise that Xeneca Power Development is proceeding through a restructuring process brought about by significantly extended development timelines, increased regulatory requirements and exposure to rapidly escalating environmental, permitting, development and civil costs. Due to the above noted delays and costs that were not contemplated in Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) pricing and contract timelines, project economic viability has, in some cases, been driven into a negative position, and, as such, it is expected that some FIT contracts will be cancelled in order that those projects can be bid into Ontario’s upcoming Large Renewable Procurement (LRP) program.
OPA Large Renewable Procurement – Request for Procurement – ORA Feedback
ORA’s ongoing work towards improving government policy as it relates to healthy rivers:
OPA Request for Feedback on the Large Renewable Procurement – Request for Proposals LRP | RFP Framework – ORA Submission
Frederick House River
Priority to Provincial/Public/Municipal Corporations
ORA is requesting that priority and preference be provided to Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and other public and municipal utilities, coops, and First Nation communities, over private corporations.
OPG is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Province of Ontario, and any surplus profits would go back into the provincial purse; whereas private corporations are primarily interested in maximizing profits, which is inevitably at the expense of public health and safety, biodiversity, and the environment. Public interests must take priority over private interests when approving all LRP proposals, and would provide the best value for Ontario ratepayers, while avoiding the privatization of Crown assets.
ORA Feedback on the Draft Request for Qualifications on the New Large Renewable Procurement Process
Excerpt:
ORA would like to commend the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) on the extra efforts made to have an open, transparent and collaborative approach to involving the public in the development of the New Large Renewable Procurement Process. OPA staff have always been helpful, responsive and inclusive throughout the consultation process. Continue reading