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That’s the power production, but a look at the capacity of the system should lower enthusiasm for more wind and solar. Wind makes up 12 per cent of the province’s generating capacity, nearly double its contribution to power produced. The most interesting number is natural gas, which could supply 27 per cent of the province’s power. This sector was massively overbuilt by the former Liberal government and at great cost. Less than 25 per cent of the province’s gas generation capacity is used.

If the goal is to cancel contracts as cheaply as possible, it’s probably not wise to announce that you have a bag of money to dispense

Ontario could introduce more wind and solar, but it would do nothing for emissions because that power would be replacing either hydro or nuclear. Besides, more wind in the province’s baseline power supply would mean more natural gas needed for back up, too. In environmental terms, the PC government was inarguably right when it decided to cancel unneeded wind and solar projects.

Thanks to some digging by the NDP, we now know the estimated cost of killing the power deals is $231 million. That figure created a furor on the opposition side of the legislature, but the math is pretty simple. The unneeded power would have cost ratepayers $790 million. Not buying it produces a net saving of $559 million. It would have been foolish to pass up that opportunity.

It’s fair to say the government played down the cost of the cancellations and did its best to keep the figure secret. If the goal is to cancel contracts as cheaply as possible, it’s probably not wise to announce that you have a bag of money to dispense.