TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2008 -- Canada NewsWire

"Faster, stronger, cleaner" is the theme as Ontario sets the stage for world-class renewable energy developers to bid on 500 more megawatts of contracts for new green energy supply.

The final contract rules have been set for a competition to award new contracts for projects larger than 10 megawatts (MW). For instance, a 10-megawatt wind facility can power more than 2,600 Ontario homes for a year. This bidding will mark the first phase of a Renewable Energy Supply (RES) procurement process, one that is intended to combat climate change by adding 2,000 MW of new green power to Ontario's electricity supply.

The projects are a key step in the province's goal to double the amount of renewable energy supply by 2025 and will emit almost zero greenhouse gas emissions per megawatt hour compared to about 1,000 kilograms per megawatt hour currently emitted by coal-fired plants.

The 500-megawatt RES III Request For Proposals (RFP) process is designed to be highly competitive and bring renewable capacity to the province in areas where it is most needed. Proposals will be evaluated for technical capability, financial strength, previous experience, management skills and a variety of other criteria to ensure the successful bidders will complete their projects on time and on budget. A fairness advisor will monitor the process.

The Ontario Power Authority - the province's energy planner - will process and evaluate the bids. The deadline for bids is Oct. 28, 2008 and the successful projects are expected to be announced in December, 2008.

QUOTES

"These projects will not only increase Ontario's supply of clean, sustainable energy sources, they will help boost local economies and create jobs," said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

"Today's announcement kick starts the process to which we anticipate a strong response," said Robert Hornung, President of the Canadian Wind Energy Association. "The wind energy industry is ready to answer the call to provide Ontarians with an infinite source of emissions-free energy for generations to come."

QUICK FACTS

- Ontario's long-term energy plan calls for an $18-billion investment in renewable energy.

- By the end of 2008, nearly 4,000 MW of renewable energy projects will be completed, underway or under contract.

- Ontario currently has almost 1,200 MW of wind capacity, or more than 650 wind turbines, online or under construction - an 80-fold increase from 2003, when just 10 wind turbines were in operation.

- 500 MW of dirty and polluting coal-fired generation, at current rates of generation, produces about two million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in a year.

SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

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