Toronto: The Feed-In Tariff program continues to attract strong interest from developers. During the most recent FIT Program application window, the Ontario Power Authority received 1,982 applications representing a total of 493.71 megawatts of generation capacity. The application window ran from November 4 to December 13, 2013. These applications are for renewable energy projects (solar, wind, waterpower and bioenergy) with a proposed capacity of 10 to 500 kW.
Bob Chiarelli, the Ontario Minister of Energy, said “Since launching the FIT program in 2009, Ontario has established itself a North American leader in renewable energy. We’ve made remarkable progress and Ontario is proud of the role renewable energy is playing in our supply mix.”
Nearly 80 percent of net applications have Aboriginal, community, municipal or public sector participation. The OPA received applications with Aboriginal community participation (30.8 percent of net applications), municipal and public sector participation (26.9 percent), and community participation (11.7 percent). More than 75 percent of applications are for rooftop solar projects.
The FIT program includes priority points for projects with Aboriginal, municipal, community and public sector participation, as well as for those that demonstrate support from local municipal councils. Applications submitted during this period are currently being reviewed by the OPA for completeness and eligibility. FIT 3 applications that pass the completeness and eligibility reviews will be ranked according to priority points and tested for transmission and distribution availability. The OPA will award contracts for up to 123.5 MW as a result of applications received during the most recent FIT 3 application window. Successful applicants are expected to be announced in the second quarter.
The OPA also accepted applications for the new Unbuilt Rooftop Solar Pilot program, which has a separate procurement target of 15 MW. The OPA received 184 applications for this program, representing a total of 45 MW. In addition, the OPA continues to receive applications to the microFIT Program for renewable energy projects up to 10 kW on a continuous basis. Version 3 of the microFIT program was launched in August 2013. The OPA will procure up to 65.3 MW of microFIT projects in 2014. To date, 18,265 microFIT projects totaling 159 MW have been connected and are contributing power to Ontario’s electricity grid.
The FIT program was launched in 2009 to encourage the development of the renewable energy sector in Ontario. The OPA now manages 2,608 FIT contracts totaling 4,624 MW, 878 of them in operation totaling 1,147 MW.
The FIT program no longer includes large scale renewable projects. Large renewable projects will now be subject to a new competitive procurement process, which is currently being developed through consultations and engagements with municipalities, Aboriginal communities and stakeholders. The complete 2013 FIT application summary is available on the OPA’s FIT website.