Regional Electricity Planning - Northwest Ontario

Forecasting and Planning

Regional electricity planning in the Northwest region of Ontario is underway. This engagement initiative will provide interested parties with an opportunity to offer input for consideration into the elements of an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) anticipated to be complete mid-2022.

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.

Regional electricity planning takes a 20-year outlook on every region in the province. The planning process provides an opportunity for communities to tell the IESO about anticipated needs and priorities and to contribute to the development of the options for meeting this region’s future electricity needs.

All interested parties are invited to participate in this engagement initiative and may include but are not limited to:

Municipalities in the Northwest region within the districts of Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay, as outlined on pages 4 and 5 in the 2021 Northwest Scoping Assessment Outcome Report
Indigenous communities in Northwest Ontario as outlined on pages 5 and 6 in the 2021 Northwest Scoping Assessment Outcome Report
Communities affiliated with Métis Nation of Ontario as outlined on page 5 in the 2021 Northwest Scoping Assessment Outcome Report
Local distribution companies (LDCs) who serve the region including Synergy North, Atikokan Hydro, Sioux Lookout Hydro, Hydro One (Distribution) and Fort Francis Power Corporation
Transmitters who serve the region including Hydro One (Transmission)
Consumers and service providers

Northwest Technical Working Group - The Technical Working Group, consisting of the five LDCs in the region, the local transmitter and the IESO, will use this regional planning engagement initiative to consider input to develop the Scoping Assessment for the region.

Additional details on the IESO’s plans to engage communities and interested parties throughout the process are outlined in the engagement plan.

All comments and enquiries about this engagement initiative can be directed to engagement@ieso.ca.

Related Information

Schedule of Activities

Date	Materials	Expected Actions
January 13, 2023	Communication 2023 Northwest Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) 2023 Northwest IRRP Appendices 2023 Northwest IRRP Data Tables	Engagement Closed
November 23, 2022	Feedback from Public Webinar #4 due Feedback Received Hydro One Kinross Gold Métis Nation of Ontario Peter Drury SCI Stantec January 13, 2023: IESO Response to Feedback
November 3, 2022	Public Webinar #4 (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) Communication Presentation Feedback Form	Recorded Presentation
May 16, 2022	Feedback from Public Webinar #3 due Feedback Received Anemos Energy Canadian Union of Skilled Workers Common Voice Northwest Hydro One Northwest Metis Council Power Workers Union SCI Stantec Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce October 28, 2022: IESO Response to Feedback
April 25, 2022	Public Webinar #3 (10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m) Communication Presentation: Update on regional electricity systems needs and seek feedback on possible solutions Feedback Form Northwest Region Data Tables	Recorded Presentation
November 29, 2021	Discussion #3: North of Dryden Area (2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) This discussion will focus on the growth and emerging electricity needs in the North of Dryden area which is bounded geographically by Dryden to the southwest, Red Lake to the northwest and Pickle Lake to the northeast. This meeting is open to all interested parties and may be of particular interest to municipalities, indigenous communities as well as electricity consumers in the North of Dryden region including mining and large manufacturing companies. Meeting Materials
November 18, 2021	Discussion #2: Emerging Local Initiatives (10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) Come to this discussion to talk about your community’s future energy plans, climate change goals and/or initiatives (i.e. electrification or local energy solutions) that are being contemplated. This meeting will provide you an opportunity to hear about and share perspectives with other northern Ontario communities and, in particular, how it pertains to your region’s electricity planning needs. Meeting materials - Updated	Recorded Presentation
November 2, 2021	Discussion #1: Customer Reliability Concerns (1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.) Communication A number of communities have expressed local reliability concerns within the Northwest. This discussion will provide an opportunity to share your views and learn how your electricity needs are considered in this regional planning process. Meeting materials	Recorded Presentation
October 18, 2021	Feedback from Public Webinar #2 due Feedback Form KWG Resources Power Workers Union	Feedback posted
September 27, 2021	Public Webinar #2 Communication Presentation: Overview and seek input on electricity demand forecast, preliminary study results and updated engagement plan	Recorded Presentation
September 10, 2021	IESO Response to Feedback	Posted
June 9, 2021	Feedback from Public Webinar #1 due Feedback Form Grand Council Treaty #3 Municipality of Greenstone Municipality of Sioux Lookout Power Workers Union SCI Stantec Joint Venture	Feedback posted
May 20, 2021	Public Webinar #1 Communication Presentation: Overview of regional planning process and seek input on electricity demand forecast Draft Engagement Plan	Recorded Presentation
January 13, 2021	Northwest Scoping Assessment Outcome Report (Final) IESO Response to Feedback Communication	Feedback posted
December 24, 2020	Feedback due Feedback form Common Voice Northwest Energy Task Force EarthCare Thunder Bay Evolution Mining Impala Canada Ltd. – Lac des Iles Mine Municipality of Sioux Lookout Sioux Lookout Hydro Township of Ear Falls	All feedback to be posted
December 8, 2020	Public Webinar: Draft Scoping Assessment Outcome Report Presentation: an overview of regional electricity planning and the draft Scoping Assessment as well as an update on planning activities underway in the region	Recorded Presentation Post meeting materials one week in advance Seek input on draft scoping assessment outcome report
November 12, 2020	Launch Northwest Scoping Assessment engagement Communication	Register to attend webinar – see December 8 (above)