Ontario government launches Clean Energy Economic Development Strategy

The Ontario government has launched its Clean Energy Economic Development Strategy with the goal of creating more jobs in the clean energy sector.

The strategy includes the following priority areas:

• Continue progress in solar and wind energy by supporting companies that are looking to export their Ontario-made products and services to the world;

• Take advantage of Ontario’s global leadership in smart meters and the smart grid, including grid automation, data management and consumer-facing ways to engage Ontarians in their energy usage; and

• Explore the potential of energy storage.

“Our new strategy will ensure the province is well positioned to embrace the many opportunities to export our knowledge and products to the clean energy sector globally, creating new jobs for Ontario families,” said Chris Bentley, Minister of Energy.

To help deliver this strategy, the province will establish the Ontario Clean Energy Task Force to help broaden Ontario’s energy focus by facilitating collaboration within Ontario’s clean energy industry. The task force – comprised of energy experts from the industry and associations – will identify export markets, marketing opportunities and approaches to demonstrate Ontario’s advanced clean energy systems.

The province also plans to lead more Clean Tech trade missions to support domestic manufacturers by showcasing Ontario’s clean energy solutions in key markets worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East and the United States. Ontario has led more than 15 Clean Tech trade missions since 2010, which have assisted Ontario companies to identify more than $80 million in potential business opportunities in key markets worldwide.

Developing a Clean Energy Economic Development Strategy was a key recommendation from the recent Feed-In Tariff Two-Year Review.

www.energy.gov.on.ca