IESO Approves 14 Projects from Long-Term 2 Energy Supply RFP
April 13, 2026
In August 2024, the province launched the largest competitive public procurement to secure new power in Ontario’s history. The Independent Electricity System (IESO) has executed on that direction competitively procuring more than 1,300 megawatts (MW) of new electricity supply by approving 14 projects across the province. Each successful project received strong municipal support and includes First Nations partners that have 50 per cent or greater equity ownership, ensuring communities share directly in the economic benefits of growth, with new generation coming online before May 1, 2030.
Ontario is following the Auditor General’s recommendation on competitive procurements.
“New contracts for wind and solar energy projects announced today demonstrate that, when the playing field is level, renewable energy wins. It’s another signal that the shift to renewable electricity — which we’re seeing worldwide – is being driven by affordability above all else. The Government of Ontario and the Independent Electricity System Operator should be commended for running a technology-agnostic process that has ultimately allowed Ontarians to benefit from the lowest-cost electricity. It’s also encouraging to see that all projects announced today have Indigenous participation,” commented Gurprasad Gurumurthy, Senior Analyst at the Pembina Institute’s Electricity program.
With electricity demand projected to increase by as much as 90 per cent, the province is taking decisive action now to bring new power online and keep it affordable for families and businesses. Ontario continues to attract investment because of its long-term integrated energy plan anchored by around-the-clock nuclear power supported by other sources such as natural gas, hydroelectricity, and renewables. Together, this mix will strengthen the grid’s reliability while leveraging the full value of Ontario’s nuclear fleet.
The 14 successful projects will deliver enough energy to power around 350,000 homes. The projects were selected with robust criteria, including sole Canadian ownership, no impact on Prime Agricultural Areas and being located on lands that are already zoned for industrial energy projects.
Before 2018, the former government locked the province into expensive, sole-sourced contracts, often as high as 10x above market rates that drove up costs for families and businesses. Today, Ontario is using transparent, competitive, and technology-agnostic procurements to secure the lowest-cost power for ratepayers from available technologies. By relying on competition, the government is delivering affordable electricity in the short-term as the province builds out other medium and long-term solutions such as:
- Exploring up to 16,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation at Wesleyville, Bruce C and the small modular reactors at the Darlington New Nuclear Project
- Expanded generation through the LT2 Capacity Stream, with results anticipated in summer 2026
- Supporting up to 430 MW of new hydroelectric generation in Northern Ontario
