I. Summary
The Ontario Minister of Energy established the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel ("EETP") in April 2022 to i) advise the government on short-, medium-, and long-term opportunities for the energy sector to support Ontario's economy and prepare for the electrification and energy transition, ii) identify planning and governance framework reforms, and iii) consider the interests and perspectives of Indigenous communities on energy project development and long-term energy planning.
From March to July 2023, more than 200 stakeholders provided their input to the EETP. The key themes and takeaways were presented in the What We Heard Interim Report published in September 2023, which can be consulted using the following link: https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontarios-clean-energy-opportunity-report-electrification-and-energy-transition-panel-13#section-0
Delivering on its mandate, the EETP released in January 2024 the Report of the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel: Ontario's Clean Energy Opportunity ("Final Report"), which can be consulted using the following link: https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontarios-clean-energy-opportunity-report-electrification-and-energy-transition-panel
The EETP included in the Final Report a perspective on the global energy markets, the growth in clean energy investments driven by policy commitments and climate change concerns in our biggest trading partners, and Ontario's competitive advantage for having a clean electricity supply mix.
The EETP expressed optimism about Ontario's future if the province aligns itself with global and local trends, emphasizing fostering true partnerships, delivering integrated energy planning, building accountable governance, centring consumer perspectives, and maximizing economic prosperity.
Additionally, the EETP considered that the following seven principles should guide Ontario's energy transition:
- Principle 1: A prosperous clean energy economy for Ontario by 2050
- Principle 2: Vision, policy clarity, consistency and adaptability
- Principle 3: Effective governance and adequate resourcing
- Principle 4: Playing the long game: ensuring ongoing and durable public support
- Principle 5: Full Indigenous participation
- Principle 6: Managing uncertainty: advanced insights and strategic foresight
- Principle 7: Planning and decisions closer to the customer
Furthermore, the Final Report outlined 29 recommendations within five areas:
- True partnerships with Indigenous partners
- Planning for electrification and the energy transition
- Governance and accountability
- Innovation and economic development
- Consumer, citizen and community perspectives
The EETP's final reflections emphasize that electrification and energy transition require government commitment to align economic and social forces around a shared vision and purpose and the participation of Indigenous communities. Therefore, it is hoped that the recommendations outlined in the Final Report will be the starting point for Ontario to manage and prosper in the clean energy transition path successfully.
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