Ontario Rules Out Offshore Wind Projects

February 11, 2011 2:00 PM

McGuinty Government Committed to Renewable Energy While Protecting the Environment

Ontario is not proceeding with proposed offshore wind projects while further scientific research is conducted.   

No Renewable Energy Approvals for offshore have been issued and no offshore projects will proceed at this time.  Applications for offshore wind projects in the Feed-In-Tariff program will no longer be accepted and current applications will be suspended. 

Offshore wind in freshwater lakes is early in development and there are no projects operating in North America.  The recently installed Lake Vanern pilot project in Sweden is one of the only operational freshwater offshore projects in the world and a pilot project has been proposed in Ohio.  Ontario will monitor these projects and the resulting scientific knowledge.  Ontario will work with our U.S. neighbours on research to ensure any future proposed projects protect the environment on both sides of the Great Lakes.

Ontario remains committed to renewable energy.  Renewable energy is a key part of our Open Ontario Plan to create clean energy jobs while improving air quality by closing coal-fired generation.  


Quick Facts

  • Ontario is improving air quality by increasing renewable energy and turning off dirty coal-fired generation in 2014.
  • The recently installed 10 turbine Lake Vanern pilot project in Sweden is one of the only operational freshwater offshore projects in the world. A five turbine pilot project is proposed in Ohio for Lake Erie.
  • Ontario's Renewable Energy Approvals regulation requires extensive environmental reports, public, municipal and Aboriginal consultation, as well as noise assessments.
  • Ontario has already attracted more than $16 billion in private sector investment in the Green Energy sector, and over 20 companies have announced plans to set up or expand operations in Ontario.
  • Ontario's Long Term Energy Plan includes 10,700 MW of renewable energy - wind, solar and biomass - by 2018. This is equivalent to meeting the annual electricity requirements of two million homes.

Learn More


Contacts

  • Contact information for the general public
    416-325-4000
    1-800-565-4923
  • Joe Kim
    Minister's Office
    416-314-6736
    Joe.Kim@nullontario.ca
  • Kate Jordan
    Communications Branch
    416-314-6666
    Kate.Jordan@nullontario.ca
  • Anne Smith
    Ministry of Energy
    416-327-7226
  • Andrew Block
    Minister's Office, Ministry of Energy
    416-327-6747
  • Jolanta Kowalski
    Ministry of Natural Resources
    416-314-2106
  • Greg MacNeil
    Minister's Office, Ministry of Natural Resources
    416-314-2208

Ministry of the Environment
ontario.ca/environment