Ontario will have adequate and reliable electricity service through the next 18 months, as the province expects to add approximately 2,000 MW of new supply from January 2017 to June 2018, according to the latest forecast from the Independent Electricity System Operator.

Of the new supply, 1,300 MW will come from natural gas, 550 MW from wind, 100 MW from solar and 50 MW from hydro sources. By the end of the outlook period, the amount of grid-connected wind and solar generation is expected to increase to about 4,500 MW and 380 MW, respectively. Meanwhile, embedded wind and solar generation is expected to increase to about 650 MW and 2,100 MW, respectively, according to the report.

The new additions are coming despite the fact that peak demand continues to face downward pressure. "Demand is expected to remain flat over the Outlook period as further economic growth is balanced by additional demand reductions coming from conservation," said Kim Warren, IESO's vice president of market and system operations and COO.

Ontario also will supply 500 MW of capacity to Quebec each winter from December to March until 2023 as part of an electricity trade deal between the two provinces. In addition, Ontario will receive up to 2 TWh of clean energy annually to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the province.