Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator is a government organization with a mixture of commercial and public-policy goals, owned by the government of Ontario. It was created to prepare for deregulation of the province’s electrical system and is governed by a board whose directors are appointed by the provincial government.
IESO’s plan to give its staff authority to set market parameters without approval by the Board of Directors has sparked a debate over the ISO’s governance and the role of stakeholders.
IESO system planners recommended the construction of a $1.5 billion HVDC line to meet Toronto’s growing energy needs, saying it would be more “future proof” than two cheaper options.
IESO has increased the capacity target for its planned solicitation for long lead-time resources, even as it acknowledges questions about the need for the procurement.
Ontario environmental groups panned the Canadian government’s inclusion of small modular reactors among infrastructure projects selected to receive fast-track regulatory treatment, saying renewables would be a far cheaper way to expand generation capacity.
Ontario Energy Board Market Surveillance Panel State of the Market Report 2023
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government continues to put its stamp on the province’s energy policy, proposing legislation that would add “economic growth” to the missions of IESO and the Ontario Energy Board.
The Ontario Energy Board plans a 22% increase in its 2025/26 budget with the addition of 32 employees, its biggest hiring surge in at least five years.
IESO officials say they will release more information on how the ISO constructed its study of the potential for incremental energy savings in Toronto after stakeholders complained they lack enough details to comment meaningfully.
IESO will expand its industrial demand-side management program, increasing funding and allowing both larger and smaller participants than currently permitted.
