Ontario’s government announced that contract offers have been awarded for more than 180 renewable energy projects, including hydropower projects. Approved under the province’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT), the projects are part of the largest green energy investment of its kind in Canadian history.
The 184 projects announced will generate enough energy to power 600,000 homes, the Ontario Power Authority reported. The projects represent almost 2,500 megawatts of renewable energy.
Seventy-six of the approved projects are ground-mounted solar photovoltaic, 47 are on-shore wind and 46 are hydropower projects, the OPA reported. There are also seven biogas, two biomass, four landfill gas, one roof top solar and one off-shore wind projects.
The renewable energy projects are in addition to the 510 renewable energy contract offers totaling 112 megawatts (MW) approved recently. The FIT Program was enabled by the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009. The Ontario Power Authority is responsible for implementing the program.
“These projects are the latest accomplishments of the Green Energy Act, which is making Ontario a place of destination for green energy development, manufacturing and expertise,” said Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Brad Duguid.
The total 694 Feed-in Tariff (FIT) contract offers announced to date will create 20,000 direct and indirect green jobs and attract about $9 billion in private sector investment, as well as investment in new Ontario-based manufacturing, the OPA reported.
“In six short months the Feed-in Tariff program has delivered strong results and has more than exceeded our expectations,” said Ontario Power Authority CEO Colin Andersen.
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