The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is an integral part of the Ontario electricity system and plays a unique role - we are responsible for ensuring a reliable, cost-effective and sustainable supply of electricity for Ontario.

Our main activities are focused on strategic co-ordination of conservation efforts across the province, planning the power system for the long term, and ensuring the development of needed generation resources.

Other players in Ontario’s energy landscape include:

Ministry of Energy (www.energy.gov.on.ca)
The ministry is responsible for ensuring that Ontario’s electricity system functions at the highest level of reliability and productivity. It is also focused on promoting ingenuity and innovation in the energy sector. By encouraging the development of new ideas and technologies, it is helping to make Ontario a world leader in the global energy market. Developing renewable sources of energy, cleaner forms of fuel, as well as fostering a conservation culture, are all cornerstones of the ministry’s vision for Ontario’s electricity future.

Ontario Energy Board (www.ontarioenergyboard.ca)
This is an independent adjudicative tribunal responsible for regulating Ontario's natural gas and electricity sectors. Part of its mandate is to protect the interests of consumers with respect to prices and the reliability and quality of electricity service.

Independent Electricity System Operator (www.ieso.ca)
This organization manages the reliable operation of Ontario's power system and forecasts the short-term demand and supply of electricity. It also operates the real-time spot market electricity market and represents Ontario in international electricity reliability issues.

Ontario Power Generation (www.opg.com)
This is a provincially-owned electricity generation company. Its hydroelectric, nuclear and fossil fuel stations generate approximately 70 percent of Ontario's electricity.

The balance of Ontario’s electricity is generated by private companies. Among these are Bruce Power, which operates a nuclear generating station in Bruce County, as well as other, smaller operations that use a variety of technologies to generate electricity.

Hydro One (www.hydroone.com)
A provincially-owned company that operates the majority of Ontario's transmission lines, Hydro One also serves as an electricity local distribution company in some areas of the province.

There are many local distribution companies that also deliver electrical service to homes and businesses – about 90 in total. Hydro One typically services rural areas, while electric utility companies, such as Toronto Hydro, service urban areas.