Total generation capacity under contract to the OPA as of July 1 was up by only 3.7 MW over the previous quarter, the Ontario Power Authority reported in its Q2 progress report. This figure is net of new capacity minus terminations. As of the end of the second quarter of 2014, the OPA administered contracts for 22,522 megawatts of electricity supply generation, of which 16,704 MW or 74 percent were already in commercial operation.
Of the 22,522 MW of supply capacity, 4,668 MW were procured from existing generating facilities, which required minimal or no new capital investment. The remaining capacity of 17,854 MW was procured from new development, expansion, redevelopment or refurbishment of existing facilities.
Since the last reporting period, increases to capacity through new contracts and capacity amendments were largely offset by decreases to capacity through terminations. By the end of the reporting period, the OPA had 8,256 MW of renewable non-hydroelectric, 2,438 MW of renewable hydroelectric, 8,828 MW of natural gas and other fuel sources, and 3,000 MW of nuclear capacity under contract.
Of this total capacity, 4,208 MW from renewable non-hydroelectric, 1,900 MW from renewable hydroelectric, 7,596 MW from natural gas and other fuel sources, and 3,000 MW from nuclear generation were in commercial operation, for a total of 16,704 MW. The remaining 5,872 MW of the OPA’s contracted capacity (including the Smoky Falls 53-MW facility) were in various stages of development.
Aboriginal and community participation
By the end of the reporting period, First Nations and Métis communities were participating in 244 FIT Program projects throughout Ontario. This included 76 MW of solar, 574 MW of wind and 80 MW of hydroelectric generation projects. Of the total, 86 MW were in commercial operation and 644 MW under development. Ontario communities were participating in 212 renewable generation projects throughout Ontario. This included 14 MW of bio-energy, 53 MW of solar, 104 MW of wind and 5 MW of hydroelectric generation projects. Of that total, 12 MW were in operation and 164 MW under development.