Review process delays alternative energy projects

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008

New alternative energy projects are on hold in Ontario pending a review process that continues to drag on. AgriEnergy Producers’ Association of Ontario administrator Graeme Millen says the Ontario Power Authority continues to review proposed rule changes that should make it easier for farmers to connect biogas generators to the grid. Also up for consideration is a change that would cap the amount of alternative energy megawatts that any one company may propose to build in Ontario and be eligible for special subsidized rates through the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP).

According to Millen, the OPA was expected to complete the review and implement changes at the beginning of August. The deadline was then delayed to the end of that month, but has since been pushed off to the end of October. ""It’s big waiting game for everyone in the sector right now,"" says Millen.

The delay has also put on hold a proposed ""Centre of Excellence"" for the development of farm-based alternative energy systems that Graeme said his Association had discussed last year with a solar developer.

The RESOP program pays alternative energy producers preferential prices for electricity produced by biogas, small hydroelectric, wind or solar. But that’s also slated for review and a new rate regime the industry is calling ""RESOP 2.0"" is expected in early 2009, according to Millen.