Why is conservation important?

Conservation has an important role to play in meeting our power needs. By reducing electricity use,customers can help reduce the amount of new supply that needs to be built. The IPSP includes conservation in the planning process and gives it priority over new supply resources – even renewable energy sources.

Conservation reduces our environmental footprint by reducing the use of fossil fuels. It lowers energy costs and creates jobs in delivering related products and services. Conservation is also generally less expensive than building new generation.

Recognizing how important conservation is to the province’s power system plan, the Ontario government has set a high target for reductions in electricity demand. This target is among the most ambitious in North America – 6,300 megawatts of reduced peak demand by 2025. This represents about 75 percent of the expected growth in demand during this period and is equal to taking one in five users off the electricity supply grid. And the OPA is seeking opportunities to accelerate this target.

Progress is being made. In fact, the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance gave Ontario an “A” grade in its 2007 report card, recognizing the province’s commitment to energy conservation.

The OPA’s role is to lead, invest in, coordinate and facilitate Ontario’s conservation efforts and build capability to ensure the electricity demand-reduction targets are met or exceeded.