Here is a brief introduction to Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program:
The Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program “allows homeowners, business owners and private developers to generate renewable energy and sell it to the province at a guaranteed price for a fixed contract term. You can apply to the FIT program if you use one or more forms of renewable energy, including wind, waterpower, biomass and biogas, solar photovoltaic (PV) power and landfill gas.“
The two types of FIT programs are:
The FIT program is available for renewable energy projects greater than 10 kilowatts, which is open to all types of generators, including developers, community groups and even individual homeowners.
The microFIT program is for renewable energy projects of 10 kilowatts or less, which is suitable for:
- homeowners,
- farmers,
- small business owners,
- institutions, such as schools and places of worship
Please click here for detailed information on Ontario’s FIT and microFIT programs, or call 1-888-387-3403.
As part of Ontario’s commitment to review the clean energy Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program every two years, Canadians in Ontario are invited to participate and provide feedback on FIT in consideration of such issues as:
- FIT price reduction
- Ensuring the long-term sustainability of clean energy procurement
- Continuing to build on the success of Ontario-based manufacturing and clean energy job creation via assessment of government policies and tools
- Potential inclusion of new technologies and fuel sources
- Local consultations in regards to Ontario’s Renewable Energy Approval process (REA)
The dual purposes of the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) review are:
- new prices for FIT contracts will be carefully developed to balance the interests of ratepayers with the need to encourage investments in new clean energy in Ontario; and
- all future clean energy contracts will be subject to the new price schedule.
Also, the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program produced both green and economic benefits since FIT launched in 2009:
- Offered contracts for approximately 2,500 medium and large FIT Projects and over 11,000 microFIT projects have connected or are expected to connect soon. This represents enough electricity to power almost 1.2 million homes
- Stimulated the economy, created more than 20,000 jobs, and is on track to create 50,000 jobs by the end of 2012
- Moved forward towards its goal of replacing coal fired generation by the end of 2014
- Helped make Ontario a clean energy leader
- Made it easier and more efficient to bring renewable energy projects of all sizes online
- Helped replace dirty coal-fired plants with cleaner sources of renewable energy:
- compared to 2003, Ontario has reduced its use of coal-fired power by 90%.
- In October 2010, the province closed four coal-fired power units, four years ahead of schedule.
- In total, Ontario has shut down eight of 19 coal units;
- the remaining units will close by the end of 2014.
- Cleaning up the air
- Protecting the health of Ontarians and
- Reducing the province’s environmental footprint
From October 31 to December 14, 2011, all Ontarians are invited to participate in the review of the FIT Program and can provide feedback by:
- answering a 2-Year FIT online survey,
- or email your written submission at 2yearFITreview@ontario.ca .
Fareed Amin, an Ontario Deputy Minister, has been appointed to lead the review. Deputy Amin will work closely with the Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority to conduct the review, which will include direct consultation with the renewable energy sector.
Ontario, Canada: Newsroom
News Release
Moving Renewable Energy Forward
October 31, 2011
McGuinty Government Continues To Build Ontario’s Clean Energy Economy
Ontario is moving forward with its commitment to review its clean energy Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program.
When the program launched in 2009, it included a commitment to review FIT every two years. This commitment was also included in the province’s Long-Term Energy Plan, released in November 2010. The review will consider a range of issues, such as:
- FIT price reduction
- Ensuring the long-term sustainability of clean energy procurement
- Continuing to build on the success of Ontario-based manufacturing and clean energy job creation
- Consideration of new technologies and fuel sources
- Local consultations and the renewable approval process (REA)
As a result of this review, new prices for FIT contracts will be carefully developed to balance the interests of ratepayers with the need to encourage investments in new clean energy in Ontario. Going forward, all future clean energy contracts will be subject to the new price schedule.
The province’s FIT Program was launched in 2009 and it has helped make Ontario a clean energy leader. It has made it easier and more efficient to bring renewable energy projects of all sizes online, stimulate the economy and create jobs. It has helped replace dirty coal-fired plants with cleaner sources of renewable energy, cleaning up the air, protecting the health of Ontarians and reducing the province’s environmental footprint.
Ontarians can provide feedback by answering an online survey or making a written submission at Ontario.ca/FITreview until December 14, 2011.
QUOTES
“The response to our microFIT and FIT programs has been tremendous, with thousands of Ontarians participating in our clean energy economy. This review is part of our plan to transform our electricity system and ensure a sustainable clean energy program. Our efforts are working – attracting investment, creating thousands of jobs and building a better future for our children and grandchildren.”
– Chris Bentley
Minister of Energy
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario has appointed Deputy Minister Fareed Amin to lead the review – he will work together with the Ontario Power Authority and consult with the sector throughout the review.
- The FIT Program provides guaranteed, long-term contracts for energy generated using renewable resources.
- Over 80 national or sub-national jurisdictions have feed-in tariff programs.
- Since 2009, more than 30 businesses have announced they are setting up or expanding plants in Ontario to manufacture parts for the solar and wind industries.
- So far, the Green Energy Act has helped create over 20,000 jobs and is on track to create 50,000 jobs by the end of 2012.
LEARN MORE
- Read about Ontario’s Long Term Energy Plan: Building Our Clean Energy Future
- Get details about the Feed-In Tariff Program
- Learn more about renewable energy in Ontario
- Find out about the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit
- Feed-In Tariff Program Two-Year Review
CONTACTS
For public inquiries call:
1-888-668-4636
TTY: 1-800-239-4224
Ministry of Energy
ontario.ca/energy
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