[Replacement of an earlier post to correct the headline]

The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) recently published a PowerPoint presentation titled Ontario’s Electricity Dilemma: Achieving low emissions at reasonable electricity rates.

This report is an excellent overview of the electricity situation in Ontario, which outlines the government’s original goals for system transformation, problems that have been encountered and possible mitigation measures for both increases in electricity rates and CO2 emissions.

The most disturbing aspect of this report is the revelation by the OSPE that the combination of wind, solar and backup natural gas results in CO2 emissions per KWH that are FIVE TIMES that of the current electricity system, which is primarily nuclear and hydro. The report states, “Therefore, adding wind and solar to Ontario’s grid drives CO2 emissions higher.”

Using data obtained from the Ontario government’s Long Term Energy Plan, the OSPE estimates that “From 2016 to 2032, as Ontario phases out nuclear capacity to make room for wind and solar, CO2 emissions will double.”

Looking forward from now, we can expect continued huge increases in price AND a doubling of CO2 emissions.

You can view the PowerPoint presentation HERE .