Ontario expanding energy-efficiency programs for businesses

Brampton, Ont. – Funding from the Ontario government will support new and expanded programs to help businesses reduce their electricity use so they can save money on their energy bills, while helping to meet the province’s emerging electricity system needs.

The province is increasing funding for its energy-efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total investment to more than $1 billion over the current four-year electricity conservation framework.

This funding will support a new voluntary Residential Demand Response Program with an incentive for homes with an existing central air conditioning or heat pump unit and smart thermostat to help lower energy use at peak times and lower bills. It will also provide targeted support for greenhouse growers in Southwest Ontario, in addition to enhancements to existing programs that provide support for businesses, municipalities, hospitals and other institutions to reduce their energy use and their energy bill.

The government accepted the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) recommendation to roll out these new and expanded energy-efficiency programs, which are among the fastest and most cost-effective ways of meeting system needs, with the intention that they will be available to eligible electricity customers beginning in Spring 2023.

These enhancements are expected to have a particular impact in southwest Ontario, with regional peak demand savings of 225 megawatts. This will help to alleviate electricity system constraints in the region and foster economic development.

The overall savings from this energy efficiency programming will result in an estimated three million tonnes of greenhouse gas emission reductions over its lifetime – the equivalent to taking approximately 600,000 vehicles off the road for one year.

“With strong economic growth and electrification increasing system demands, the IESO is committed to meet growing system needs and ensuring grid reliability by enhancing energy efficiency programming,” said Lesley Gallinger, President and CEO, the IESO. “Energy efficiency is one of the most reliable and cost-effective approaches to ensuring reliability on the grid. By using energy wisely, we increase opportunities to support electrification initiatives and decarbonization efforts at the same time.”

For more information on the upcoming new and expanded energy-efficiency programs, visit the IESO’s Save on Energy website.

Additional resource:
Manage energy costs for your business – For large to small businesses, manage your energy costs through one of these programs.