The pace of growth forecasted in the GTA North is accelerating, adding the equivalent of two cities the size of Ottawa to the local grid over the next twenty years.
Current Status
Scoping the needs: 2024
Developing solutions: 2025
Making recommendations: 2025Check this space for upcoming events.
With only one main power plant in the area, the GTA North is reliant on electricity being brought in from outside the GTA. Electricity comes into the area through major transformation stations at the border with the city of Toronto. It is then carried along two main transmission corridors - one along Hwy 407 in the south and another crossing the region from Vaughan towards Georgina – feeding smaller transmission lines and the Alectra and Newmarket-Tay Hydro distribution networks.
The GTA North, and in particular, York Region, continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario and is a leader in innovation. It’s one of the reasons why high-tech companies are locating data centres and manufacturers are investing in production facilities in the area. The region’s municipal governments have also developed community growth plans as well as decarbonization strategies to electrify transportation and heating.
As we look to the future, more infrastructure will be needed to ensure the GTA North has the electricity it needs. The grid will not be able to sustain the kind of growth being experienced in the area – with only limited opportunities to add more capacity to existing lines.
The IESO is working with Alectra, Newmarket-Tay Hydro and Hydro One to understand the full needs of the area and what solutions will address them. It will also look at the impact of reducing reliance on the York Energy Centre, which provides more than half of the energy needs in the surrounding area.
Ensuring reliability in the GTA North will require significant investments in new electricity infrastructure, whether it is new transmission lines and stations or new generation and storage facilities. The region’s dedication to innovation sets the stage to increase opportunities to manage electricity demand – whether leveraging small-scale generation or adopting energy-efficiency initiatives that encourage businesses to reduce their peak energy use.
Gathering feedback and community perspectives is important to help us better understand the unique electricity needs of the region and the options available to help to meet them.
Phase 1 – Understand Future Needs
The IESO will be assessing the electricity needs of the GTA North over the long-term. A demand forecast for the region has been developed showing that peak energy use could triple over the next 20 years.
Next year, we will assess the overall transmission system that serves the GTA North – with existing lines reaching capacity limits and the potential to build new infrastructure in right of ways set aside for future development.
And finally, the assessment is looking at the impact of reducing reliance on the York Energy Centre given its pivotal role in maintaining reliability in the GTA North and beyond.
Phase 2 - Develop Solutions (2025)
The IESO will then move to developing potential solutions to address those needs. Solutions are evaluated based on factors such as cost effectiveness and reliability. Some of these solutions could be transmission line expansions and upgrades or alternatives to transmission lines – for example, local generation, storage and energy-efficiency programs. With its large industrial and commercial base, the GTA North has considerable capacity for initiatives that can reduce peak demands.
Phase 3 - Make Recommendations (2025)
The IESO will publish a final report identifying specific priorities and actions. From there, implementation planning would begin for infrastructure projects and program development.
The IESO is committed to providing opportunities for the many communities that comprise the GTA North to learn more and get involved.
You can stay informed about the progress of this plan and participate in discussions on the IESO website, which offers detailed planning documents, including videos of webinar sessions, and other information, including:
- Demand Forecast: The IESO held a webinar on November 26, 2024, providing the electricity demand forecast for the region. You view watch the video or read the presentation. Feedback on the demand forecast is also posted on the IESO website.
Learn more about Energy Efficiency
As the electricity system operator, the IESO also relies on conservation to help manage the grid and includes energy-efficiency targets in its planning. In York Region, Save on Energy currently offers the Commercial CoolSaver program in collaboration with Alectra Utilities to eligible businesses who can receive free A/C tune-ups for HVAC systems - plus exclusive instant discounts on a variety of high-efficiency upgrades.
Residents in the GTA North can also take advantage of Peak Perks, which rewards homeowners who have smart thermostats for reducing their energy during peak summer days.
For more information about energy efficiency incentives in Ontario, visit www.saveonenergy.ca.
We'd like to know your thoughts about GTA’s future electricity needs.
Learn more
If you live or work in the GTA, the IESO offers more information about the region’s electricity needs. Learn more about the IESO’s planning process.