TORONTO (CP) - With the start of summer approaching and demand for power on the rise, Ontario is trying to encourage more small-scale energy producers to add power to the grid.

Energy Minister Dwight Duncan says three new programs will help reduce barriers so small energy-generation projects can get online. He says Ontario is leading the way in North America by paying a premium to those that launch small-scale projects which add 10 megawatts or less to the grid.

A program for northern Ontario will make it more financially viable to launch clean water-based power projects.

The incentives are modelled after a similar program by the Ontario Power Authority, which has generated an additional 400 megawatts of clean, renewable power through 75 projects.

Terry Young of the Independent Electricity System Operator says the "summer strain" that often occurs as a result of consecutive hot days hasn't hit the grid yet, but demand for power is growing.

He says mid-July is when power officials expect real pressure on the grid.