Ontario Renewable Energy Standard Offer Programme (RESOP)

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) launched the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Programme (SOP) in 2006, to make it easier for small renewable energy generating facilities to participate in the electricity supply system, through their local electricity distributors, by providing a stable pricing regime under a 20-year contract. Projects can use solar, wind, hydro and biomass, and can range from 1kW to 10MW. Potential generators are provided with detailed information regarding the various assessments, planning, average costs, ficing options and permits required before they can participate in the programme. The tariffs provided are as follows: Wind, Hydro, Biomass: CAD cents 11.08/kWh Solar PV: CAD cents 42/kWh On-peak rate for hydro and biomass: CAD cents 3.52/kWh When launched in 2006, the programme aimed to generate 1000 MW over 10 years. In a little over a year, 1300 MW of contracted projects were achieved. As a result, the OPA is undertaking a programme review, and will be implementing new regulations for applications received after 12 May 2008. Current and future applications from micro-scale generators (up to 10 kW) and small, farm-based biomass projects up to 250 kW will continue to be processed under the existing rules. As of January 2009, the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP) has signed 604 contracts totaling 1,517.5 MW, of which 171 projects with a total installed capacity of 106 MW have already reached commecial operation. By renewable energy technology, RESOP has suported 106 wind energy projects totaling 813 MW; 434 solar PV projects totaling 527 MW; 33 bioenergy projects totaling 99.5 MW, and 31 hydro projects totaling 78 MW.

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