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ARTICLE · 20 JUNE 2025

Power Perspectives: Ontario Regional Overview

McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault
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In 2024, Ontario's energy landscape has been marked by significant developments and ambitious plans to meet the province's growing electricity demand.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Canadian Energy Perspectives
Canadian Energy Perspectives
Seán O'Neill
Seán O'Neill
Gordon Nettleton
Gordon Nettleton
Suzanne Murphy
Suzanne Murphy
Kerri Lui
Kerri Lui
Mitchell Lui
Mitchell Lui
Razan Mohamed (Summer Student)
Razan Mohamed (Summer Student)
Maneet Kahlon (Articling Student)
Maneet Kahlon (Articling Student)
Emmanuel Onyemachi
Emmanuel Onyemachi
+3 more
Author LinkedIn connections

Introduction

In 2024, Ontario's energy landscape has been marked by significant developments and ambitious plans to meet the province's growing electricity demand. The Independent Electricity System Operator ("IESO") revised its forecast, projecting a 75% increase in electricity consumption by 2050, driven by the rapid expansion of data centres and the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). In response, the Ontario government introduced the Affordable Energy Act, 2024, aiming to transform the energy sector through long-term planning, amendments to energy system codes, and the development of EV charging infrastructure.

On April 25, 2025, the provincial government introduced Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act1 to safeguard Ontario's critical minerals and energy infrastructure from foreign interference. Under Bill 5, provincial permitting and approvals for mining and critical infrastructure projects would be accelerated. Additionally, Ontario

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