APPrO statement on the release of the OPA's supply mix report, December 9 2005

For immediate release: December 9, 2005

Ontario’s Electricity Generators Welcome Supply Mix Report

TORONTO, December 9, 2005 – The Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO) welcomed today’s release of the Ontario Power Authority’s report on Ontario’s Supply Mix. “This is a very comprehensive piece of work that recognizes the magnitude of the challenge to expand electricity capacity in Ontario in a timely fashion over the short term, while at the same time addressing growth in demand in a sustainable manner over the next 20 years,” APPrO President Dave Butters said.

"It’s no secret that reinvesting in energy infrastructure in Ontario is one of the major challenges facing the province over the next several decades and while there’s no “silver bullet” solution for our energy challenges, the OPA report represents a balanced and flexible approach to ensuring Ontario's future electricity needs,” he noted. “It recognizes the significant role nuclear power and other technologies such as hydropower and gas-fired generation play today, but also highlights the risk to this contribution if we do not create an integrated plan that draws both on refurbishment and production of electricity from clean, new energy resources available to us here in Ontario,” he said.

Butters also noted that much as $70 billion in capital expenditures over the next 20 years will be required to achieve a robust supply portfolio for Ontario. “Mobilizing this huge amount of mostly private sector capital to ensure our energy future will require both an attractive fiscal regime, as well policy coherence, and regulatory co-ordination and efficiency,” he said.

In this context, he said that an immediate priority for all governments and stakeholders is to work on streamlined approval processes and better communication to the public on the importance of contracted generation projects in achieving Ontario’s critical electricity supply objectives. “We won’t be able to get the new supply when we need it and at a price we can afford, if we don’t begin to address a wide number of policy, permitting, approvals and acceptance impediments to new generation projects”, he said.

APPrO is a non-profit organization representing more than 100 companies involved in the generation of electricity in Ontario, including generators, suppliers of services, equipment and consulting services. APPrO members produce power from nuclear, hydro, fossil, wind, waste wood and other energy sources. APPrO’s members currently produce over 95% of the electricity generated in Ontario.

-30-

For further information contact:

David Butters, President
Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO)
25 Adelaide St. E., Suite 1602, Toronto ON M5C 3A1
tel: (416) 322-6549
fax: (416) 481-5785
e-mail: <david.butters@appro.org>
website: http://www.appro.org

Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO)
PO Box 1084, Stn. F, Toronto, Ont. M4Y 2T7
tel.: 416-322-6549 fax 416-481-5785
e-mail: APPrO@APPrO.org website: http://www.appro.org

For queries or suggestions, please forward to:

APPrO, PO Box 1084 Station F, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2T7

Canada

.
Street address: 25 Adelaide St. East, Suite 1602, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3A1
Tel. (416) 322-6549 fax 416-481-5785 e-mail: APPrO@APPrO.org

Last update: December 9, 2005
URL: http://www.appro.org