Natural Gas
Ontario is increasingly reliant on natural gas-fired generation for meeting its peak and base-load electricity needs.
It’s now the second largest installed supply source. Natural gas generation has replaced coal generation for peak needs. It also provides backup for intermittent wind and solar generation, which is needed over 70% of the time.
When the 3,100 MW GHG emission-free Pickering Nuclear Station ceases operation in 2024, this reliance will increase and require importing more environmentally-questionable, non-renewable, price volatile shale gas from the U.S. Besides compromising Ontario’s ability to meet its GHG emission targets, Ontarians will face higher home heating and electricity costs and the province’s energy security will be reduced.
Natural gas... not good news
The reliance on carbon emitting, price volatile, import dependent natural gas generation is not good news for Ontario consumers or for our province’s competitiveness.