Ministry of Energy – EBR…

 Ministry of Energy – EBR Registry Number:   013-1913

 Ben Weir

 Senior Policy Adviser - Ministry of Energy

 Conservation and Renewable Energy Division

 Conservation and Energy Efficiency Branch

 Renewable Energy Facilitation Office

   Mr. Weir,

  The Town of Parry Sound is currently experiencing limited growth potential for large energy consumption industries (i.e. manufacturing, data centers). Furthermore, single feeder limitations lead to reduced system resiliency and create a single point of failure.   These constraints have the effects of

 oLimiting the ability to expand tax base and attract new businesses or expand operations of

 current businesses

 oRising electricity costs are putting pressure onto the system

 Currently the proposed amendments to Ontario’s Net Metering Regulation, specifically the elements of Third Party Ownership and Virtual Net Metering demonstration projects provide significant opportunity to deploy innovative, clean renewable technology solutions including:

 oDistributed generation and energy storage

 oNet Metering & Virtual Net Metering

 Lakeland Power is the Local Distribution Company, is fully committed to the deployment of a VNM solution for the Municipality and has the capabilities and interest in supporting deployment of Virtually Net Metered clean renewable generation for the Town.

 The Town of Parry Sound has also partnered with Amp, an established global developer of flexible clean energy infrastructure that has the local expertise, track record and capabilities to support a broad range of innovative solutions including the preferred option to Virtual Net Met Meter the Town’s facilities and support the local vision of being 100 % net zero.

 The most critical element to the sustainability goals and net zero objective of the Town involves certainty of policy and incentives and in particular the enabling of Virtual Net Metering (VNM). This strategic partnership of The Town of Parry Sound, Lakeland Power and Amp contains the required stakeholder buy-in and project execution experience to successfully deploy one of Ontario’s first VNM demonstration projects.  All of these project partners are anxious to move forward to deploy this innovative solution and seek added clarity pertaining to the details of, and successful participation in, the IESO prescribed program to permit the VNM demonstration project.

 1.The Town of Parry Sound is seeking clarity from the Government of Ontario that the details of this IESO program permitting VNM will be provided by March 31, 2018 and that the program will open no later than July 1st, 2018, on the day the anticipated and required regulatory amendments take effect.

 2.The Town further seeks comfort from the Government that the project described herein is applicable and will not be precluded from participation in the prescribed IESO administered program to permit the Town’s Virtual Net Metered Demonstration Project and a key milestone in the town’s Net Zero vision.

  Thank you very much for your consideration of these recommendations.

  Sincerely,

    Rob Mens

 Chief Administrative Officer

 Town of Parry Sound

[Original Comment ID: 212042]