THESTAR.COM Solar power producers are bracing for price cuts of up to 25 per cent as Ontario reviews its renewable energy policies, according to industry insiders.
Energy Minister Chris Bentley says the review will formally be released next week. “We’re all expecting to take a haircut,” said one solar developer – although the new prices will apply only to developments going forward, not contracts already signed. At the same time, Premier Dalton McGuinty has already signaled to rural municipalities that he’ll give them some say in where controversial wind farms place their turbines.
The Liberals were devastated in rural ridings where wind was an issue – in part because the Green Energy Act tied the hands of local councils in dealing with wind developers. The impact of renewable power on Ontario’s power system is often exaggerated: Renewable sources other than water provided only 3.4 per cent of Ontario’s power last year; that’s expected to grow to 13 per cent by 2030. But the prices paid for renewable power have become a political lightning rod for the Liberals.
Energy Minister Chris Bentley says the review will formally be released next week. “We’re all expecting to take a haircut,” said one solar developer – although the new prices will apply only to developments going forward, not contracts already signed. At the same time, Premier Dalton McGuinty has already signaled to rural municipalities that he’ll give them some say in where controversial wind farms place their turbines.
The Liberals were devastated in rural ridings where wind was an issue – in part because the Green Energy Act tied the hands of local councils in dealing with wind developers. The impact of renewable power on Ontario’s power system is often exaggerated: Renewable sources other than water provided only 3.4 per cent of Ontario’s power last year; that’s expected to grow to 13 per cent by 2030. But the prices paid for renewable power have become a political lightning rod for the Liberals.
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