A Tight FIT - OPA´s FIT Program Kicks Off And REA Regulations Come Into Force

As Ontarians turned off their air conditioners earlier this month, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) opened the gates to the widely anticipated Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) Standard Offer Contract Program. The FIT program was officially launched on October 1, 2009, finally allowing renewable-energy project developers to put the FIT framework to the test. The OPA has stated it intends to respond to project developers within sixty days of receiving a complete application, although the anticipated high number of applicants may cause delays to the expected execution of FIT contracts.

Key features of the FIT program

• Generally, in order to be eligible, projects must be (a) renewable generating facilities not already in existence; (b) located in Ontario, provided they are not located in expressly exempt areas; and (c) projects that do not have or have not had a prior power purchase agreement, unless such agreement was terminated prior to March 14, 2009 or more than twelve