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IESO reports strong preliminary results for Ontario energy savings

March 25, 2015 –Ontario scored strong energy conservation results in 2014 according to preliminary results for a conservation report, said the non-profit Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

March 25, 2015  By  Renée Francoeur


The results show that local distribution companies (LDCs) across Ontario achieved 98% (5,882 GWh) of cumulative energy savings, against their energy-savings target set by the Ontario Energy Board of 6,000 GWh for the 2011-2014 period. The IESO said it expects this target to be surpassed when the verified results come in.

On the peak-demand reduction target of 1,330 megawatts (MW), LDCs achieved 60% (798 MW). Reductions in peak demand associated with programs such as the Industrial Conservation Initiative have contributed additional peak demand reduction and overall conservation results, said IESO.

“Conservation benefits both customers and the provincial power system,” said Terry Young, vice-president of conservation and corporate relations with IESO. “These results show how consumers have been able to use saveONenergy programs to take control of their energy use and reduce both their current and future energy costs. For each dollar invested in conservation, about two dollars are saved in avoided generation.”

Some highlights of 2014 saveONenergy conservation programs include:

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• More than 22,000 old, inefficient fridges and freezers were picked up and recycled from homes free of charge.
• Almost five million energy-saving products were purchased using saveONenergy coupons across the province for discounts on eligible energy-efficient products. The 2015 Spring Coupon event begins on March 27.
• Eligible homes and business received rebates of up to $650 to purchase more than 92,000 units of high-efficiency central heating or cooling equipment as part of the Heating & Cooling Incentive.
• More than 500 facilities participated in Demand Response 3, which has helped to reduce peak demand.

On January 1, 2015, the province launched its new Conservation First Framework to support the continued delivery of electricity conservation programs in Ontario. The new, six-year framework is expected to achieve 7 TWh of electricity savings between 2015 and 2020 through the delivery of LDC province-wide and local conservation programs. An additional 1.7 TWh is targeted through conservation projects with the province’s transmission-connected customers.

Preliminary 2014 conservation results will now undergo “a rigorous evaluation, measurement and verification process,” said IESO. Final results will be released by later this year.


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