The Ontario Power Authority’s conservation and demand response programs collectively achieved 717 million kWh of verified and sustainable annual energy savings in 2011, at a program cost to consumers of 3 cents per kWh – its most cost-effective year, the OPA said in its December report on conservation results.
The OPA offers its conservation programs under the saveONenergy brand, which is collaboratively delivered with LDCs or offered directly by the OPA to consumers. Provincially, programs offered through both avenues achieved 645 MW of demand reduction and 717 GWh of energy savings, the OPA calculates.
The OPA’s conservation programs and initiatives include pickup and recycling of older and inefficient fridges, air conditioners and dehumidifiers (over 56,000 in 2011); Peaksaver, which installs demand control devices (19,550 individual residential devices and 478 participating commercial facilities in 2011 – business lighting upgrades and other initiatives).