IESO Releases 18-Month Outlook

    TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ - The reliability outlook for Ontario's
electricity system is generally positive and improving over the next year and
a half, said the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in its latest
18-Month Outlook.
    About 4,300 megawatts (MW) of new supply is scheduled to come into or
return to service over the Outlook period, with further enhancements planned
on the transmission network. Ontario's import capability will increase by
about 30 per cent with the new 1,250 MW interconnection between Ontario and
Quebec, scheduled to be completed by next spring.
    "Ontario's reliability picture has improved compared to what we
experienced last summer," said Ken Kozlik, IESO Chief Operating Officer. "We
are heading into this summer with an additional 1,300 MW of supply on-line
from the Portlands Energy Centre and two nuclear units that were unavailable
last summer."
    Under normal weather conditions, sufficient supply is forecast in Ontario
to meet electricity demands for most of the summer with occasional reliance on
imports from neighbouring jurisdictions. In cases of extreme weather, Ontario
may rely more heavily on imports.
    Lower energy demand is being forecast for 2009 compared to 2008 as a
result of increasing conservation efforts and a slowing economy. Peak demands
are also expected to decline in the 18-month forecast period.
    The full 18-Month Outlook is available at:

    http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/pubs/marketReports/18MonthOutlook_2008jun.pdf

    The IESO is responsible for managing Ontario's bulk electricity power
system and operating the wholesale market. For more information, please visit
www.ieso.ca.

For further information: Terry Young, [phone],
[e-mail]