Wiktor Wise
Ontario's electricity system is one of the cleanest in the world, with 91% of electricity produced from zero-carbon sources. The province has over 200 hydroelectric generation facilities, and nuclear power is also foundational to Ontario's electricity system, with several plants generating more than half of the province's electricity. In addition, Ontario has many sources of biofuel, and wind and solar power are also part of the province's energy mix.
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What You'll Learn
Nuclear power
Ontario has a long history with nuclear power, having built 25 nuclear reactors over 35 years, with 20 of them located in the province. This history has made the southern part of the province one of the most nuclearized areas in the world.
Looking forward, Ontario is planning its first large-scale nuclear build in over 30 years with Bruce Power, aiming to add up to 4,800 MW of new nuclear generation capacity to meet rising electricity demand.
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Hydroelectricity
Most of Ontario's large hydroelectric sites were utilised in the early 20th century, limiting extensive expansion within the province. However, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) still produces 40% of the province's electricity from hydroelectric sources. OPG's hydroelectric power is clean, reliable, and flexible, making it a valuable energy resource.
The Ontario government is taking steps to meet rising electricity demand, including exploring new hydroelectric development opportunities in the province. In 2022, the Ontario Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, requested an analysis report from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in support of a voluntary clean energy credit registry for Ontario citizens. The report estimated the hydroelectric potential in northern Ontario to be 3000 to 4000 megawatts. However, public concerns over the environmental impact of hydroelectric activities have been raised.
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Solar power
Ontario has been ranked the 10th province in Canada for installing solar power systems. In 2021, solar power accounted for 4% of Ontario's electricity generation, with the majority of solar capacity being distribution-connected capacity—small-scale generators typically owned or maintained by individuals or non-utility businesses.
The amount of energy produced by solar panels depends on the weather, with solar power being particularly valuable in the summer months when it helps to offset increased air conditioning use, reducing strain on the electricity grid.
The size of the solar power system required can be calculated using the following equation: Size of the system needed (kW) = yearly energy use (kWh) / annual equivalent full sunlight hours (h) (the annual average ‘equivalent full sunlight hours’ in Ontario = 1,166h). The average solar panel is approximately 18 sqft in size and produces about 350 watts of power. The cost of installing a solar system in Ontario is, on average, $2.77/watt.
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$25.97 $39.95
Wind power
Ontario is the second-largest producer of electricity in Canada, after Quebec, and has an estimated generating capacity of 39,569 megawatts (MW). In 2021, about 91% of electricity in Ontario was produced from zero-carbon sources: 55% from nuclear, 24% from hydroelectricity, 8% from wind, and the remaining 4% from solar.
The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), a non-profit trade association, outlined a future strategy for wind energy to reach a capacity of 55,000 MW by 2025, meeting 20% of the country's energy needs. This strategy, called Wind Vision 2025, could create over 50,000 jobs and represent around $165 million in annual revenue. It would also make Canada a major player in the wind power sector, attracting around $79 billion in investment.
Ontario has many wind farms that contribute to its wind power generation. The province's electricity grid is supplied by industrial-scale power plants and wind and solar farms that can produce large amounts of electricity. Wind farms generate more or less electricity based on how windy it is, but their operation is flexible, and their output can be adjusted quickly in response to the electricity system's needs.
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Natural gas
Ontario's electricity comes from a mix of sources, including nuclear, hydro, wind, biomass, coal, natural gas, and petroleum. In 2021, about 91% of electricity in Ontario was produced from zero-carbon sources, with 55% from nuclear, 24% from hydroelectricity, 8% from wind, and 4% from solar. The remaining 9% was primarily from natural gas and some bioenergy.
Ontario has a competitive electricity market, with over 30,000 km of transmission lines and over 260,000 km of distribution lines. The province's electricity system is designed to support approximately 5.25 million residential and small business customers.
While natural gas represented about 28% of Ontario's total transmission-connected capacity in 2024, it only accounted for about 16% of actual generation. This is because nuclear and hydro plants produce low levels of greenhouse gas emissions and are used first to meet Ontario's energy needs.
Ontario is working to reduce emissions from its electricity system, with a forecast to level out emissions by 2030. The province will continue using natural gas to power vehicles, homes, and factories, while also electrifying the transportation and steel manufacturing industries to offset emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2021, about 91% of electricity in Ontario was produced from zero-carbon sources: 55% from nuclear, 24% from hydroelectricity, 8% from wind, and 4% from solar.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is an independent government agency that regulates the province's energy sector. It ensures that natural gas and electricity companies follow the rules and promotes a sustainable, reliable energy sector. The OEB also regulates the rates for natural gas and electricity distributors, protecting consumer interests, including pricing, reliability, and quality of service.
Ontario's electricity system is designed to support the needs of its residential and small business customers. It has over 30,000 km of transmission lines and over 260,000 km of distribution lines. Once electricity is generated, it travels across Ontario on high-voltage transmission lines owned by Hydro One. It is then converted to low-voltage power by local utilities, which also deliver power to homes and businesses and manage billing.
Ontario's electricity system uses tools to reduce electricity demand and the need for more generation. For example, the Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Framework encourages large industrial and commercial customers to reduce their energy use during peak hours through the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI). Ontario also has one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, with the lowest amount of CO2 emitted for every unit of electricity generated compared to neighbouring Great Lakes states.
