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Ontario

Ontario. Jennifer Keyes/Kevin Edwards OMNR GLWC Offshore Wind Workgroup Advancing Regional Collaboration Webinar September 24, 2009. Ontario’s Interest in Offshore Wind Development.

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Ontario

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  1. Ontario Jennifer Keyes/Kevin Edwards OMNR GLWC Offshore Wind Workgroup Advancing Regional Collaboration Webinar September 24, 2009

  2. Ontario’s Interest in Offshore Wind Development • Ontario supports offshore wind development and it is a technology supported under Ontario’s recently passed Green Energy Act www.mei.gov.on.ca.wsd6.korax.net/english/energy/gea/ • OMNR’s Windpower Site Release Policy makes the beds of the Great Lakes available for Wind development www.extranet.mnr.gov.on.ca) • The province’s proposed FIT Program will incent offshore wind at $.19/Kwh • The Ontario Wind Resources Atlas includes data layers related to offshore - www.ontariowindatlas.ca • The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) completed a study – Analysis of Future Offshore Wind Development in Ontario which identified60+ offshore sites - www.powerauthority.on.ca

  3. Identified Ontario Offshore Resources

  4. Current or Proposed Offshore Projects • The beds of all lakes and rivers in Ontario are Crown (Public) land – 87% of land mass and MNR currently has 70+ applications for offshore wind development sites • Trillium Power Corp. has proposed a 700 MW wind farm for the Duck Island area of Lake Ontario www.trilliumpower.com • Toronto Hydro has proposed a 50+ MW wind farm for just offshore of the City and has recently completed their EA to proceed with a testing platform www.torontohydroenergy.com/generation_offshore.html • Southpoint Wind has initiated their EA for a proposed 30 MW in Lake Erie near Leamington www.southpointwind.com

  5. Inter-Jurisdictional Collaboration • OMNR is a founding member of the GLWC • Under the auspices of the GLWC OMNR is working with Great lakes Border states and the province of Quebec to share best practice, guidance and policy • OMNR is also working collaboratively with other Canadian provinces and the Canadian federal government

  6. Regulations/Policies/Laws Affecting Offshore Wind Development and Agency Responsible with Oversight • Under OMNR’s Site Release Policy proponents can apply for offshore sites for proposed wind farms • Leases are granted for sites under the Ontario Public Lands Act and through associated regulations • Ontario is proposing a streamlined approach to permitting and approvals based on clear, up-front, and integrated requirements for Provincial Ministry approvals and permits, including: • A Renewable Energy Approval regulation established by the Ministry of Environment (see www.ene.gov.on.ca); and • Approval and Permitting Requirements established by the OMNR (see www.mnr.gov.on.ca) • The proposed process is intended to streamline approvals while continuing to ensure the protection of public health and safety and the natural environment

  7. Transmission of Offshore Wind Energy • Under Ontario’s proposed Feed-in Tariff Program proposed generation projects will be identified & prioritized • Once critical generating mass is identified in an area then the Ontario Power Authority will plan for the necessary transmission enhancement or development and seek necessary approvals

  8. Public Outreach • The proposed new approval process enabled under the Green Energy and Green Economy Act is currently being developed – part of this was a public comment period on requirements where the province received 1000+ comments • Part of the proposed requirements of the Renewable Energy Approval (REA) regulation would require an applicant to hold at least two public meetings and address concerns raised in these meetings • The decision on issuing an REA could also be appealed to the province’s Environmental Review Tribunal • As part of the new approval process Ontario will also continue to meet its constitutional responsibility to notify and enter into consultation with Aboriginal communities

  9. Public Trust • Outreach and Education • Investment in science and research - including the proposal to establish an independent Research Chair, and setbacks and standards related to noise and the natural environment • Adaptive management - including proposed provisions under the new approval process that enable the government to establish mitigation and monitoring requirements

  10. Obstacles to Offshore Wind Development • Public concern has been expressed with regard to proposed offshore projects with regard to environmental and view scape issues • Offshore projects face technical challenges as well (e.g. transmission, construction infrastructure)

  11. Regional Collaboration • Fisheries Guidance • Bird and Bat Guidance • Policy Development • Project Siting • Public Engagement • Ice Research

  12. Other Issues or Observations? • It is unclear what impact planned financial and other policy incentives will have on demand for offshore wind sites • Opportunity for policy alignment within the GLB to support a bio-region based approach • Opportunity to share costs of gaining required ecological data

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