A word from Leonard Kula, Vice-President, Planning, Acquisition and Operations

Communities, including First Nations and Métis, businesses and residents, now have more opportunities to take control of their energy use, participate in the electricity sector and contribute to more reliable and cost-effective electricity system for all Ontarians. Electricity planning and delivery has changed in recent years, and continues to evolve. An increasingly engaged consumer and growth in local electricity resources has aided in this evolution.

The forum provided attendees with the opportunity to discuss, share information and develop a dialogue on how their community can leverage innovation in the electricity sector. We would like to thank the approximately 100 participants who joined us at the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo Hotel & Conference Centre. Attendees from various organizations and backgrounds shared their perspectives on the management and planning of future electricity needs, including City of Guelph, Six Nations of Grand River, Waterloo North Hydro, University of Windsor and NatureFresh farms.  

Even if you didn’t attend the forum, we hope you will take part in this continuing dialogue. Explore opportunities to participate with the IESO (through regional planning activities, energy-efficiency programs, funding opportunities, engagement, etc.) at ieso.ca. Notes from this forum will be available online in the coming weeks.

Regional planning discussions are underway in southwestern Ontario and your input is important to us and will help inform the future of this region and Ontario’s electricity sector as a whole. Reach us at communityengagement@ieso.ca or subscribe to receive updates for your region at ieso.ca/subscribe.

Southwest Ontario Regional Electricity Forum panel discusses opportunities to better align planning at local, regional and provincial levels.