Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

According to our latest forecasts, electricity demand in Ontario is anticipated to grow 75 per cent by 2050, higher than previously forecast. Yesterday, the Minister of Energy and Electrification released his vision for ensuring Ontario can meet its future energy needs. The vision document reinforces the importance of several IESO initiatives underway to meet the growing needs of the province, such as the competitive procurement of new electricity generation and expanding energy efficiency programs that will help keep electricity affordable for all Ontarians. We will continue to work alongside sector stakeholders, municipalities and Indigenous communities as we build out our electricity system and ensure it remains reliable, affordable and sustainable for decades to come. The full vision document is available at https://lnkd.in/gvVa5-pB

  For several years now, the IESO has been working closely with stakeholders to prepare for the renewal of our electricity markets in 2025. Today, we reached another major milestone as the IESO’s Board of Directors approved the market rule amendments needed to operationalize the renewed markets.    The rule amendments will be effective November 11, 2024, facilitating registration activities in advance of the launch of the renewed market on May 1, 2025.     The Market Renewal program will make improvements to the current electricity market design, by improving how we supply, schedule and price electricity, leading to system efficiencies and supporting the grid of the future. This project will deliver significant value to the system and Ontario consumers – including an expected $700 million in benefits in the first 10 years alone. It will also build a foundation for Ontario’s electricity markets to continue to evolve, as new technologies emerge and are able to contribute to a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity system for the province.    More information about Market Renewal: https://lnkd.in/gM-Ebt5M    More information about the amendment proposals: https://lnkd.in/gNKBYwW9

Over 350 IESO employees participated in workshops and learning sessions during this September’s Learning Month. This year pulled together external thought leaders and internal subject matter experts to focus on building skills for the future. Among the topics discussed were the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to shape the grid of the future, how to transform data into impactful communication and the importance of fostering team resilience in the face of global challenges. Thank you to our external presenters: Josh Wong, Jennifer Collins, CEC, PCC, Eric Janssen, Brent Dykes and Anna Lafoyiannis And thank you to the IESO staff who helped make Learning Month possible: Steven C., Joleyne Groat, Nicola Presutti, David Short, Dona Bonar, Tam Wagner, P. Eng., Luis Orozco, Sue Gagne, Justin Groenestege, P.Eng, Sorana Ionescu, EMBA, Ismael El-Samahy, Ph.D, P.Eng, and Elyas A. We’re looking forward to making next year an even bigger success. To learn more about life at the IESO, visit our careers website: https://careers.ieso.ca/

A new demand forecast shows that Ontario’s electricity demand is anticipated to grow 75% by 2050—higher than last year’s 60% forecast—with annual consumption rising from 151 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025 to 263 TWh in 2050. The accelerated pace of demand growth is driven by a series of factors, including growth in the industrial sector, ongoing electrification and data centres looking to connect to the grid. See the full news release: https://lnkd.in/gUdxxgNy For an in-depth overview of the factors that are driving demand at a sector-level, the IESO is hosting a stakeholder engagement webinar on the demand forecast on October 30, 2024. To register for the webinar visit: https://lnkd.in/gr9VnpxT

We are pleased to share the news that our President and CEO, Lesley Gallinger, has been appointed to the Electrifying Canada Advisory Panel, where she will provide leadership, insights and guidance to help accelerate Canada’s transition while ensuring a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system. 

The IESO is honoured to receive the 2024 Friend of Energy Storage Award from Energy Storage Canada for our work finalizing Canada’s largest energy storage procurement to date and congratulations to the other award winners. Energy storage will play a critical role in modernizing the grid by allowing surplus electricity generation to be saved until it is needed most. This is providing system operators with another tool to help enhance reliability and flexibility. The IESO has been working closely with the energy storage sector for over a decade, starting with early pilots that tested the ability of storage to provide ancillary grid services. Today, energy storage is emerging into a key component of modern grid operations and by 2028, Ontario’s battery storage fleet is expected to reach almost 3,000 MW. The IESO's President and CEO, Lesley Gallinger, was at the Energy Storage Canada conference this week to accept the award on behalf of the organization. Also at the conference was Robby Sohi to discuss the work being done to fully integrate storage into Ontario’s electricity system and markets. See the news release for full details: https://lnkd.in/gYgfeE_A

The IESO’s Strategic Advisory Committee pulls together leaders from across the electricity sector to provide strategic advice on key issues such as new resource procurement, grid modernization and transmission planning. The Committee met today to provide an update on the development of the IESO’s External Relations Engagement Framework and the actions that are underway to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and municipalities, plan new transmission and enhance Ontario’s electricity markets. IESO President and CEO, Lesley Gallinger, provided her thoughts on how the electricity sector and its partners must work together faster and closer than ever before to build-out an electricity system that will support innovation, economic development and quality of life. The committee was also joined by Michael Fedchyshyn to provide an overview on the role of Invest Ontario in developing major energy projects. Materials from the meeting are available on the IESO’s website. A live recording of the meeting will be published soon. https://lnkd.in/gXdrdEzC

With Indigenous communities increasingly driving change in the province’s energy sector – and in recognition of the long path towards reconciliation – the IESO is committed to driving meaningful change in how we work with Indigenous Peoples that acknowledges the historical grievances they have endured.

The IESO’s Board of Directors has appointed four new members to the Strategic Advisory Committee: Chief R. K. Joe Miskokomon, Dave Landers, Monica Gattinger and Heidi Bredenholler-Prasad. Chief Miskokomon, Mr. Landers and Dr. Gattinger will represent Ontario communities. Ms. Bredenholler-Prasadwill will represent Energy Related Businesses and Services. These new members reflect the IESO’s commitment to inclusivity and responsiveness to the changing range and diversity of stakeholders and communities actively playing a role in the energy transition. For a full list of current SAC members and to stay up to date on upcoming meetings, visit the IESO's website. https://lnkd.in/gXdrdEzC

Commitment. Collaboration. Building big at a faster pace.   That was the theme that informed President and CEO Lesley Gallinger’s remarks at the joint Ontario Energy Association/Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO) Ontario Energy Conference.   While the sector has accomplished a tremendous amount of work over the past few years to prepare for increasing demand, there remains a significant amount of work ahead. For our continued success – the IESO, the sector at large and the communities and ratepayers that we serve– must support the economic and social needs of the province by growing its calling card: a reliable, affordable and sustainable grid.   Lesley’s remarks are available online. https://lnkd.in/gDp24DhH