Toronto: The Ontario Power Authority released final rules, contract terms, and other program documents for the FIT 3 program on October 9. The application period for FIT projects is expected to open on November 4, 2013, and close on December 13, 2013.
“There are significant changes between FIT 2 and FIT 3,” said APPrO Executive Director Jake Brooks. The OPA is recommending that proponents carefully review the new rules. A “summary of changes” table explaining the primary revisions is available on the OPA website. The changes reflect policy decisions from the Minister of Energy expressed in his directions of June 12, 2013 and August 16, 2013, as well as adjustments made by the OPA in response to stakeholder feedback received in recent months.
The FIT 3 program reflects an enhanced emphasis on local engagement, in accordance with new provincial policy, and provides priority points for municipal participation. The new rules also adjust the process the OPA may use to review site access rights.
Minister Chiarelli said that, “Over the next four years, at least 900 MW of additional clean, renewable energy will be added to our Provincial supply mix via Small and Micro FIT procurements. Starting with this fall’s 124 MW offering, we are taking significant steps to provide sustainable, predictable procurement cycles. We have also directed the Ontario Power Authority to procure an additional 100 MW of Hydro this fall, and the procurement shall follow similar timeline to the Small FIT window later this year. And in the near term, probably the first quarter of 2014, we plan on providing the same level of predictability and sustainability for the competitive, large renewable procurements.”
To qualify for the FIT program, projects must be larger than 10 kilowatts and generally up to 500 kW. A separate form of procurement is planned for larger projects (See “OPA collecting input for design” on page 10.)
The FIT 3 Rules contain tailored provisions for applicants who want to participate in the Unconstructed Rooftop Solar Pilot, which is addressed in a separate procurement target of up to 15 MW. The application start and end dates for the pilot will be the same as for other FIT Program applicants who will apply during the upcoming fall 2013 application period.
The OPA also released the following procurement targets and contract capacity set asides (CCSAs) that are referred to in the FIT Program Rules as being available on the FIT Program website. The procurement targets and CCSAs also include portions not allocated from the 2012 application period.
Webinars were planned for October 17 and October 24.
Updated pricing will come into effect on January 1, 2014 and replace the schedule that took effect on August 26, 2013,
To access the full set of official FIT 3 program documents, see this location on the OPA website:
http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/newsroom/october-9-2013-FIT-3-final-documents.
| Procurement Target for this FIT 3 Application Period | 70 MW (from June 12, 2013 direction) + 53.5 MW (not contracted from last Application Period) = 123.5 MW | ||
| CCSAs available for this FIT 3 Application Period | Community Participation Projects | 20.916 MW | |
| Aboriginal Participation Projects (20.916 MW) | First Nations Projects | ? 13.944 MW | |
| Métis Projects | ? 6.972 MW | ||
| Municipal and Public Sector Entity Participation Projects | 41.833 MW | ||
| Procurement Target for Unconstructed Rooftop Solar Pilot | 15.0 MW | ||
Recommendations on siting from the OPA and IESO
Core Recommendations
(1) Community Outreach Early and Often
(2) Local Voice/Local Responsibilities
(3) Inter-Ministerial Coordination
Bringing Communities to the Table
Municipal governments, First Nations and Métis communities and stakeholders want to be engaged early and often. Local communities would like a formal seat at the table.
(4) Foster ongoing relationships with First Nations and Métis and recognize the Duty to Consult
• Explore capacity-building mechanisms, such as workshops, in addition to application-based funding
The Crown to provide guidance as to when Duty is triggered and initiate and monitor consultation
(5) Create regional electricity planning Advisory Committees
• Communities identify members and include elected officials, First Nations and Métis representatives, economic development officers, and other community/business representatives
• Meet with Committee regularly to share information and seek input throughout planning process
• Consult Committee regarding local priorities and costs and benefits of alternative solutions
• Committee should meet between formal planning cycles
(6) Invite participation of local representatives in regional electricity technical planning working group
• Advisory Committee identifies a representative with relevant expertise (e.g., planning or economic development) to participate in technical planning
(7) Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and plans with Advisory Committee input
• Based on best practices and posted for comment
• Phased approach with multiple feedback loops
• Include reports to local governments and First Nations and Métis communities
Linking Local and Provincial Planning
Local governments identified need for capability building and resources to better consider energy needs in local plans. As municipalities plan to meet water, waste and growth needs they should likewise be required to plan for electricity needs.
(8) Integrate electricity needs into relevant municipal plan
• Modify the Provincial Policy Statement (2005) to more explicitly consider electricity needs per proposed amendments in Appendix A
• Explore language for municipalities to include in Official Plans and zoning by-laws
• Work with Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to explore methods of ensuring that current and potential landowners are aware of proximity to either existing, or potential, sites for electricity infrastructure
• Explore developing siting criteria and minimum distance separation guidelines to sensitive land uses (e.g., Ministry of Environment’s D2, D4 and D6 Guidelines) with Environment and other ministries
• Work with Ministry of Infrastructure to integrate electricity needs into plans developed under Place to Grow Act, Greenbelt Plan and Big Move, for example
(9) Integrate relevant municipal information into regional electricity plans
• Regional electricity plans (Integrated Regional Resource Plans and Regional Infrastructure Plans) should include a description of how First Nation and Métis and municipal priorities, including community energy plans, were considered
(10) Promote community energy planning
• The Ministry of Energy and the OPA should enhance supports for community energy planning e.g., Municipal Energy Plan, Aboriginal Community Energy Plan funds and energy mapping
(11) Recognize broader provincial and local interests in electricity system planning
• The regional electricity planning process should factor in broader considerations such as helping meet social, environmental and economic development goals – beyond its current focus on technical and lowest-cost considerations. Including broader considerations raises cost-allocation questions that are ultimately for the province and OEB to determine.
(The above is excerpted from the report. For the full set of recommendations, please see the full report, “OPA-IESO Planning & siting recommendations.doc”.)