Resource Acquisition and Contracts

After more than a decade of strong supply, Ontario is entering a period of emerging electricity system needs, driven by increasing demand, the retirement of the Pickering nuclear plant, the refurbishment of other nuclear generating units, as well as expiring contracts for existing facilities.

To address these need, the IESO is competitively securing 3,500 MW of capacity through the first Long-Term Request for Proposals (LT1 RFP), complimentary expedited procurement process “the Expedited Process” (E-LT1 RFP), and the Same Technology Upgrade Solicitation. The 2022 Annual Acquisition Report (AAR) describes these mechanisms and needs in more detail.

• The LT1 RFP, together with the Expedited Process, is expected to competitively procure year-round effective capacity from dispatchable new build resources, including new build hybrid electricity generation and storage facilities, registered or able to become registered in the IESO administered markets, larger than 1 MW and which can deliver a continuous amount of electricity to a connection point on a distribution system or transmission system for at least four consecutive hours.
• The Same Technology Upgrades Solicitation is a targeted call for new cost-effective capacity upgrades from existing contracted facilities. The streamlined process aims to incent additional output from dispatchable resources that can deliver a continuous amount of electricity for at least eight consecutive hours, and be in service between May 2025 and 2026.

In advance of the Expedited Process and the LT1 RFP, the IESO issued the Long-Term Request for Qualifications (LT1 RFQ) to establish a list of applicants with the experience and capability to successfully develop, construct and operate facilities acquired through these procurements. The LT1 RFQ is now complete, and the list of qualified applicants is available below.

Future long-term procurements, including the LT2 RFP to be launched in 2023, may be suitable for resource types that are not yet fully enabled in the IESO Administered Markets, or for projects that require longer development timelines. Procurement design and requirements have been and will continue to be shaped by input from stakeholders through the Resource Adequacy Engagement, as well as other IESO assessments and engagements.

The Ontario Minister of Energy has asked the IESO to submit a report in early October to inform the eligibility of emitting resources in the upcoming long-term procurements while considering the need to preserve a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity system.

Questions or comments on the LT1 RFP can be sent to LT.RFP@ieso.ca.

Visit the IESO's Subscribe page to sign up for future LT1 RFP updates.

Expedited Process Procurement Documents

• Draft E-LT1 Prescribed Form: Evidence of Municipal Support
• Draft E-LT1 Prescribed Form: Evidence of Indigenous Support
• Draft E-LT1 Prescribed Form: Rated Criteria Evidence of indigenous Community Participation
• Draft E-LT1 Prescribed Form: Community Engagement Requirements
• Draft E-LT1 Prescribed Form: Access Rights Declaration
• Draft E-LT1 RFP
• Draft E-LT1 RFP (Blackline to August 25 version)
• Draft E-LT1 Contract

Same Technology Upgrades Solicitation Documents

• Draft Call for Submissions (Updated September 26, 2022)
• Draft Call for Submissions (Blackline to September 14 version)
• Draft Submission Form

LT1 RFP Procurement Documents

The LT1 RFP procurement documents will be very similar to the Expedited Process documents. A list of expected differences is provided below.

• E-LT1 RFP and LT1 RFP Summary of Differences

Procurement Documents

• Locational Considerations and Circuits to Avoid
• Deliverability Guidance Document
• Deliverability Test Input Data Form (updated on August 25, 2022)
• Resource Adequacy Engagement
• Annual Acquisition Report
• Annual Planning Outlook
• November 10, 2021: Ministry of Energy Outlines Further IESO Actions to Address Resource Adequacy
• January 27, 2022: Ministry of Energy Directive

Expedited Process Procurement Activities

The dates provided below are aligned with the E-LT1 RFP and are subject to change.

LT1 RFP Procurement Activities

The dates provided below are aligned with the LT1 RFP and are subject to change.