Planning in Northwest Ontario

Northwestern Ontario is a large region with diverse needs. To understand and meet specific local needs, the IESO, together with local communities, is undertaking planning processes in four sub-areas. The four individual plans are focused on their unique areas, but the solutions are interrelated. Once completed, the sub-regional plans will be integrated into an overall Northwest regional plan.

About the Northwest

For regional planning purposes, Northwest Ontario includes the area roughly bounded by Lake Superior to the south, the Marathon area to the east, and the Manitoba border to the west. It includes the districts of Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay.

The region accounts for approximately 60 percent of the land area in the province and approximately two percent of Ontario's total population.

Roughly half of the population in the Northwest resides in the City of Thunder Bay, and the remaining population resides in smaller communities across the region.

The Northwest is host to active mining and forestry operations. Expansion of these sectors are a driver of electricity growth in the region, as well as growth in communities that support them.

Northwest Ontario boundaries

The map indicates the approximate boundaries of the planning sub-regions within the Northwestern region. See a larger view.

There are also 25 remote communities here not connected to Ontario's transmission system that are supplied electricity by diesel generation. The need to develop a plan to connect remote communities was identified in the Minister of Energy's 2011 Supply Mix Directive. This will add electricity demand growth to the transmission system in the Northwest.

Bulk Planning

There are also bulk planning activities underway in the region. Development work is ongoing for two priority bulk planning projects – the East-West Tie Expansion and the Northwest Bulk Transmission Line.

For more information, see Northwest Ontario Bulk Planning Initiatives.

Regional Planning Activities in Northwest Ontario

Greenstone-Marathon sub-region

The last regional planning process cycle for the Greenstone-Marathon sub-region was completed in June 2016 and an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) was released.

North of Dryden sub-region

The last regional planning process cycle for the North of Dryden sub-region was completed in January 2015 and an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) was released.

Thunder Bay sub-region

The last regional planning process cycle for the Thunder Bay sub-region was completed in December 2016 and an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) was released.

West of Thunder Bay sub-region

The last regional planning process cycle for the West of Thunder Bay sub-region was completed in July 2016 and an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) was released.

Remote Community Connection Plan

The draft Remote Community Connection Plan is in draft form, as community engagement has not yet been finalized. Efforts are underway so that all communities that wish to provide input that will be documented and considered within the plan can do so.