Ontario invests to expand natural gas penetration
The government of Ontario said June 9 it will invest C$234mn (US$194mn) to support 8,750 new natural gas connections in 43 rural, northern and indigenous communities.
Under phase 2 of Ontario’s Natural Gas Expansion Programme, construction activities will begin as soon as this year, with all 28 expansion projects – all but one within the service area of Enbridge Gas – expected to be underway by the end of 2025.
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Two of the projects will directly benefit indigenous communities, the Red Rock First Nation and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation.
Since the first phase of the expansion programme was launched in 2019, more than 9,000 customers in 16 communities have been connected to the natural gas grid. With each connection, the average household could save between C$250 and C$1,500 in annual energy costs as they move to natural gas from costlier, and often dirtier, energy sources like wood, coal or heating oil.
“Today we’re celebrating an important milestone in Ontario’s energy history with Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Programme,” Ontario premier Doug Ford said. “We’re making good on our promise to deliver affordable energy and expand natural gas pipelines to more communities, while at the same time improving economic development and creating thousands of new jobs.”