Media

Ontario's nuclear units produced 50 per cent, or 77 Terawatt hours (TWh), of the energy produced in the province last year, according to generation and consumption figures released today by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

This reflects a seven per cent increase from the 43 per cent, or 63 TWh, that nuclear generating units contributed in 2003. This increase is primarily due to the return to service of approximately 2000 MW of nuclear power which includes Units 3 and 4 at Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation's Unit 4 at Pickering A.

Hydroelectric production increased slightly to 25 per cent (37.6 TWh) from 23 per cent (34.7 TWh), while coal production decreased to 17 per cent (26.8 TWh) from 25 per cent (36.6 TWh) in 2003.

Provincial demand for electricity was up by more than one per cent in 2004 compared to 2003, with an increase to 153.4 TWh from 151.7 TWh, consistent with the 10-year average.

The IESO's most recent Outlook indicates that recent and expected additions to the province's generating capacity will result in a positive outlook for the reliability of Ontario's electricity system over the next 18-months. An additional 515 MW of generation will be added to the Ontario system in 2005 with the return to service of Pickering A Unit 1, which Ontario Power Generation has forecast for September 1, 2005.