The OPA’s short term (2006-2008) recommendations include aggressive conservation and demand management efforts and the installation of a new transformer station in the vicinity of Holland Junction in King Township.

In the longer term (2008-2015), the OPA recommends a natural gas-fired generating facility in the northern part of the region and an additional transformer station, preferably in northern Aurora.

Recommendations

Immediate action for summer 2006 is focused on increasing the amount of static capacitors located at the Armitage transformer station and implementing as much of the planned demand response as possible. In conjunction with this, the OPA recommends proceeding with the construction of a new transformer station in the vicinity of Holland Junction, along with static capacitors at this station.

To provide the longer term relief to the supply bottleneck, the preferred solution is to provide local generation, required to be in service by 2011.

However, the existing level of security of supply to Northern York Region is below the Independent Electricity System Operator’s guideline. As such, the OPA will endeavour to acquire the recommended generation resources as early as 2008 in order to improve the security of supply.

Along with the development of local generation, there will be a need for another transformer station. This is also required by 2011, but may be deferred by successful conservation and demand management initiatives.

For the preferred solution, which required local generation, the preferred site for a new transformer station has already been identified and is in northern Aurora, a short distance from Armitage transformer station. If, for some reason local generation is not built, the OPA recommends supplying the area from new sources located outside of the local region via an upgraded transmission line from Buttonville to Gormley and a new transformer station in the vicinity of Gormley.

Regulatory Approvals Required

The OPA will apply to the OEB for recovery of its costs under a local generating contract, if and when the OPA has entered into such a contract following a successful procurement process.

In order to quickly procure demand response in York Region, the OPA intends to act under the Ministerial direction contained in a letter dated June 15, 2005 to contract for “250 MW or more of demand side management and/or demand response initiatives across the province.” In acting under the authority of this directive, no OEB approval of the costs related to such contracts will be required.

OPA Report

You can read the full OPA York Region Recommendation (Main Report - OPA Recommendation) and all the supporting documents by clicking on the appropriate PDF document below.