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ARTICLE · 22 OCTOBER 2020

Ontario Proposes To Change Net Metering Regulation To Support "Community-Based Energy Systems"

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On October 8, 2020, the Ministry of Energy, Development and Mines posted a regulatory proposal detailing planned amendments to Ontario's Net Metering Regulation to allow for "demonstration of community net-metering projects."

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
David Stevens
David Stevens
Emily Chittick
Emily Chittick
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On October 8, 2020, the Ministry of Energy, Development and Mines posted a regulatory proposal detailing planned amendments to Ontario's Net Metering Regulation to allow for "demonstration of community net-metering projects." The proposal summary states that community net metering "would support the development of innovative projects such as net-zero communities using distributed energy resources."

As we previously discussed, Ontario has allowed net metering since the Net Metering Regulation came into force in 2006. Net metering involves an arrangement between an electricity utility and customer, such as a homeowner or business, whereby the customer generates electricity for their own use from a renewable source, while still drawing electricity from the grid when it is needed. Subject to program rules, customers can then sell their self-generated renewable electricity to the grid where they generate more than they need for their own purposes.

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