New Ontario $50 million Smart Grid initiative will launch in 2011 to enable research, capital and demonstration projects
Phoenix, AZ – EUEC2011 – Jan. 31, 2011 – Executives from the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance are attending 2011’s Energy, Utility & Environment Conference in Phoenix, AZ this week to invite environmental technology companies from around the world to participate in the Province of Ontario’s clean technology revolution. The Canadian province offers North America’s most advanced green energy policies, targeted incentives and a generous Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program to expansion-minded clean technology companies.
The Ontario Power Authority’s FIT Program is modeled after successful programs in Germany and France. It features North America’s first comprehensive, guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production, offering stable prices under long-term contracts for solar photovoltaic, on-shore and off-shore wind, biomass, biogas, landfill gas, and waterpower energy.
In the Spring of 2011, Ontario will launch a $50 million Smart Grid initiative that will enable research, capital and demonstration projects. A Smart Grid will put in place modern grid infrastructure required to help homeowners monitor and control their energy usage through home automation and enable smart charging of electric vehicles. Ontario’s Smart Grid initiative is open for business to attract companies from around the world offering complimentary technologies.
“For the global clean technology industry, Ontario is a go-to investment jurisdiction,” says Jim Mairs, Senior Business Development Specialist/Assistant Manager for the City of Guelph. “Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan is on track to eliminate coal by 2014, the single largest climate change initiative in North America in that timeframe. In 2009 our greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector reached the lowest they have been in 45 years and more than 80% of our generation came from emissions-free sources like wind, water, solar, biogas and nuclear. But there’s more to do, and we’re open for business to help us get the job done.”
Ontario is home to 110 head offices of clean technology companies that are predominantly engaged in the development and marketing and/or use of their own proprietary technology to deliver products or services that reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) projects that by 2015, these Ontario clean technology companies will generate revenues in excess of $1 billion. In addition there are more than 2,800 environmental industry companies in Ontario, generating approximately $7 billion in revenue and employing 65,000 people.
Ontario is a North American leader in the adoption of green energy policies with its passing of the Green Energy Act in May 2009. Other targeted programs available to the alternative energy and clean technology sector include: Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund, Ontario Innovation Demonstration Fund, Ontario Power Authority Technology Development Fund, SDTC Sustainable Tech Fund, and SDTC’s NextGen Biofuels Fund.
About the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance
The Ontario Clean Technology Alliance offers a highly educated workforce, excellent growth opportunities, a low-risk business environment, and generous R&D tax credits that are the envy of other countries. The Alliance is supported by the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA), Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI), the Hamilton Economic Development Office, Canada’s Technology Triangle (Waterloo Region), the Niagara Economic Development Corporation, the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation, London Economic Development Corporation, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, City of Guelph Economic Development & Tourism Services, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. For more information, go to www.ontariocleantechalliance.com.
Ontario Clean Technology Alliance contacts:
Jim Mairs
Senior Business Development Specialist/Assistant Manager
City of Guelph, Economic Development & Tourism Services
Phone: 226-820-3185
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jill McCubbin
Conversation Architect
market2world communications inc.
Phone: 613-256-3939
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
