TORONTO, May 13, 2024 /CNW/ - The second discussion paper, https://www.pwu.ca/new-planning-approach, in a series by the Power Workers' Union (PWU) was released today. These papers are offered to prompt discussion on better ways for Ontario to meet its growing electricity demand at a lower cost, with lower carbon emissions and in a more reliable, affordable and timely manner.

Ontario's Powering Ontario's Growth (POG) report laid out a pathway to ensure Ontario has the energy needed to power economic growth and electrification over the next three decades while maintaining its clean electricity advantage. The IESO's Annual Planning Outlook (AOP) is not addressing this objective.

"Ontario urgently needs to accelerate building the scale of low-carbon infrastructure on a timeline that meets the province's long-term resource requirements," "which may instead enable upside opportunities," said Jeff Parnell, President of the PWU. "There is minimal risk for Ontario to aggressively build out non-emitting baseload supply and beginning now the IESO should be procuring for those, not additional flexible resources. Ontario further requires a transparent transition strategy for the non-emitting baseload resources required to displace the use of the new gas-fired generation that Ontario will be forced to acquire in the next few years," concluded Parnell.

The next PWU discussion paper will focus on the affordability risks that are mounting as Ontario's planning approach continues to shorten the available timelines for addressing the infrastructure required to achieve a NZ economy. 

The Power Workers' Union (PWU), proudly Canadian, represents over 18,000 highly skilled and dedicated men and women in Ontario's electricity sector. For over seventy years, the men and women of the PWU have been critical to keeping the province's lights on. The PWU remains a strong supporter and advocate for the prudent and rational reform of Ontario's electricity sector and recognizes the importance of planning for low-cost, low-carbon energy solutions to enhance the competitiveness of Ontario's economy.

SOURCE Power Workers' Union