The province of Ontario is close to completing the scheduled review of its Feed-In Tariff program. The public input phase of the review was completed on December 14. The Ministry of Energy received over 2,900 responses to the survey and through email. The review is intended to “examine program rules and pricing to ensure the program remains successful and sustainable.” The provincial government appointed Deputy Minister Fareed Amin to lead the review. He is working with the Ontario Power Authority and consulting with the sector throughout the review.
Considerations in the review include, but are not limited to the following:
• A careful examination of FIT pricing to maintain a balance between the interests of ratepayers and the continued encouragement of clean energy investment in Ontario. This is expected to result in reduced FIT prices for future contracts.
• Potential inclusion of new and emerging technology types.
• Assessment of government policies and tools to ensure that Ontario remains a centre of manufacturing excellence and clean energy job creation.
• Consideration of outreach techniques to complement the province’s Renewable Energy Approval (REA) process.
A bulletin released by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP noted the following: “Under current FIT Program rules, changes in FIT pricing which may result from the program review will not affect the prices provided in existing FIT contracts entered into by the OPA. However, applicants which have not entered into FIT contracts will receive the pricing in effect at the time a FIT contract offer is received and a contract reflecting any other changes to the FIT contract resulting from the FIT Review.
“A similar review of the microFIT program was also announced on October 31, 2011 with consultations continuing until December 14, 2011. MicroFIT applications will continue to be received while the review is underway but will not be processed until the new microFIT rules and pricing schedule have been issued. Existing microFIT applications submitted up to August 31, 2011 will be processed and issued conditional offers under the existing rules and pricing schedules. Applications submitted after August 31, 2011 will be subject to the new rules and pricing schedule. The microFIT review will not affect existing contracts or outstanding conditional offers.”
The FIT Program, which launched in 2009, is the most comprehensive renewable energy program of its kind in North America.
A number of generator associations, including APPrO, CanWEA, OWA, APAO, CanSIA and OSEA submitted comments. For a copy of the comment submitted by APPrO on the FIT review, please see the APPrO website or contact APPrO.