Energy Manager

Industrial News
Updated NIER strives for “more stable electricity costs” for Northern Ontario

June 20, 2017 - Ontario says it is reducing electricity up to 25% for some of the “biggest job creators” in Northern Ontario, including mining and forestry companies, “to boost their competitiveness and help them continue to grow”.

June 20, 2017  By  Anthony Capkun


“Ontario’s largest mining companies require considerable amounts of energy to operate their facilities,” noted Chris Hodgson, president of the Ontario Mining Association. “The government’s updates to the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate program will allow more of our members to save significantly on their energy costs, better plan for the future, reinvest in their operations and create jobs.”

The province is updating the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate (NIER) program to ensuring “more stable electricity costs”. The updated NIER:

• Extends the program participation term from 3 to 5 years.
• Accepts more new companies into the program sooner.
• Connects the rebate level to current electricity usage more accurately.
• Encourages participants to report on activities they are undertaking to address climate change within their organizations.

The NIER program will continue to invest up to $120 million each year to assist Northern Ontario’s largest industrial electricity users reduce their energy costs, says the province, adding participating companies receive a rebate of up to $20 million per year. Currently, 19 Northern Ontario industrial companies representing 26 facilities participate in the program.

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