The IESO of Ontario has selected 14 projects totaling 1.315 GW under its LT2 RFP round
This includes 12 solar and 2 wind energy generation facilities generating about 3.02 TWh annually
Contracts with the winners will be finalized in May 2026, with commercial operations expected before May 2030
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario, Canada, has offered contracts for 14 new renewable energy projects representing a combined capacity of 1.315 GW. All selected projects have at least 50% participation from indigenous communities.
These facilities were selected under the Long-Term 2 Request for Proposals (LT2 RFP) round launched in August 2024. Winning projects are spread across 12 solar and 2 wind energy facilities, together capable of generating 3.02 TWh annually.
Among the winning solar PV projects is the 200 MW Dunns Valley Solar project near Searchmont on Crown land. CarbonFree Fort Frances, with a 167.2 MW solar PV facility, is another large-scale project to be located in Fort Frances on unincorporated territory in Rainy River District.
Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) Director of Policy for Ontario Eric Muller said, “The LT2 procurement is a massive win for ratepayers and a clear demonstration that competitive procurements can unlock the full potential of wind and solar at scale, while advancing meaningful partnerships with Indigenous and local communities.”
Selected projects will have no impact on prime agricultural areas, as these will be located on lands already zoned for industrial energy projects.
Winning facilities will begin commercial operations before May 1, 2030. Final contracts with selected companies will be fully executed in May 2026.
As Ontario’s electricity demand increases and the drive towards grid decarbonization accelerates, IESO says it is running large-scale procurement programs to ensure adequate power supply into the 2030s and beyond. Its effort is to add both energy and capacity that’s required in 2029 and beyond.
To meet growing system needs, the IESO said it plans to run multiple RFP submission windows under the LT2 RFP umbrella.
Under the LT1 RFP, the IESO executed contracts with 13 selected proponents for 2.19 GW of new capacity that will become operational between 2026 and 2028.
