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Toronto, December 19, 2003 -- Ontario's electricity supply situation is significantly improved heading into this winter compared to last year, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator's (IMO) 18-month Outlook released today.
The Outlook, produced every three months by the IMO, provides an assessment of the reliability of the Ontario electricity system for the next 18 months.
The report covering the period between January 2004 to the end of June 2005 indicates that Ontario has adequate reserves of electricity for the majority of weeks over that time frame.
IMO President and CEO Dave Goulding said the improved forecast reflects the addition of new generation in Ontario over the past 12 months.
"The combined 1800-megawatts from Transalta's station near Sarnia, Ontario Power Generation's Unit 4 at Pickering, and Bruce Power's Unit 4 have helped to increased Ontario's electricity supply in the short term and reduced our reliance on imports," said Goulding. "In addition, we are expecting the return to service soon of another Bruce unit as well as an additional 600 MW of supply from two new gas fired facilities, Brighton Beach and Imperial Oil, over the next six months."
The 18-month Outlook also identifies the importance of new proposals to offset any reliability impacts resulting from the planned retirement of the Lakeview Thermal Generating Station at the end of April, 2005.
This assessment is based on the IMO's forecast of electricity demand, information provided by Ontario generators on their projected supply and the latest information on the Ontario transmission system.
The report is available at: www.theimo.com/imoweb/pubs/marketReports/18MonthOutlook_2003dec.pdf
The IMO is responsible for managing and regulating Ontario's bulk electricity system and the wholesale electricity market. For more information, visit www.theimo.com.
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