On January 1st, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) merged with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to create a new, stronger organization that combines the OPA and IESO mandates and continue the high quality work both organizations are known for. The new IESO will reliably operate the system in real time; as well as plan for and ensure a dependable, sustainable system well into the future. The current responsibilities of both organizations will continue after the merger.

Funding Support Programs

Application and Proposal Review

All Applications with a validated Timestamp will be reviewed by the IESO on a quarterly basis. The IESO will publish a schedule of the meeting dates for application review on the website and may revise it in periodically based on application uptake and need. The Schedule for 2015 for the AREF and ACEP Programs is as follows: 

Note: When the ECB Program is launched, a separate schedule will be posted for Proposal submission and review timelines.

What does the merger between the OPA and IESO mean for you?

As of January 1:

• Any reference to the predecessor IESO or the OPA in any by-law, resolution, agreement or other document, including Program Rules, Application Forms and Guidelines, will be read as if it were a reference to the new IESO.

• All Funding Support Programs and all Funding Agreements continue to be offered and administered by the IESO and continue business as usual. The IESO will ensure that all Applicants and Funding Recipients continue to have access to all the same resources as they were available through the OPA.

• To align with the new IESO Procurement Policy the requirement to undertake Competitive Procurement Progress for each of the Funding Programs has not changed. However if an Applicant intends to retain a provider of goods or services having an aggregate value of greater than $15,000 to carry out the Deliverables, it must procure the goods or services through a Competitive Procurement Process (as defined in the respective Program Rules), if applicable. The respective Program Rules will be updated to reflect this change and will become effective as of March 2, 2015.

• The email addresses for the respective Programs have changed as follows:

• Visitors to www.powerauthority.on.cawill be redirected to www.ieso.cawhere you will be able to access existing OPA web pages through the navigation.

• The Aboriginal Renewable Energy Network website address has not changed and will remain www.aboriginalenergy.ca.

• The Community Energy Partnerships Program website address has not changed and will remain www.communityenergyprogram.ca

November 21, 2014: Direction by the Minister of Energy

The IESO received a directive from the Minister of Energy which outlines changes that will be made to the existing Support Programs and directs the IESO to improve and streamline the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP), the Municipal and Public Sector Energy Partnerships Program (MPSEPP), the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund (AREF), and the Aboriginal Transmission Fund (ATF). Development of the new consolidated Program is underway and will consist of two funding streams: the Partnership Stream and the Project Development Stream.

In order for interested parties to participate in the new program, we encourage current Funding Recipients to ensure that they are in compliance with their Funding Agreements and in good standing with the IESO.

If you have any questions about the merger between the OPA and the IESO, please feel free to contact your Case Manager or contact IESO Staff at the above email addresses or by phone at 416-969-6317.