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Regional Planning & Engagement

Planning today for a reliable energy future

Over the next 30 years, Ontario's population is expected to grow by nearly 5.3 million1. To keep up with energy demands, we’re planning now to ensure our natural gas system can meet long-term energy needs, affordably and sustainably.

Through our regional Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process, we forecast what energy demand will look like, determine whether a traditional pipe project or an alternative will meet the energy need, and then lay out a roadmap for how we’ll manage it. As part of this process, we gather input and feedback from communities on what matters most.

What options will regional plans explore?

Regional Integrated Resource Planning explores energy needs and the associated costs and benefits of a pipe or an alternative solution, such as:

Community engagement

We're gathering input from Indigenous groups and community stakeholders to help us understand what matters most. Stakeholders can include customers, intervenors, environmental groups, municipalities, government and other groups.

How the process works

One

Identifying needs

The first step is to identify the energy needs and the associated project.

Screening the need

Needs that require more urgent action may be excluded from the IRP. Additionally, projects may also be screened out by specific criteria that has been approved by the Ontario Energy Board.

Two-stage evaluation

Project alternatives will be evaluated based on technical and economic feasibility. During this evaluation stage, a decision to move forward with a traditional pipe project or an alternative will be made.

Periodic review

Changes, such as policies or timing, may impact the decisions made in the previous steps. Any changes will be reported annually.

Find Integrated Resource Planning projects in your region

See how we’re investing in our system to support future energy demand and implement lower carbon alternatives.

Current projects

Parry Sound Pilot Project

This pilot project is located within the Municipality of Parry Sound. The Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) alternatives being explored for this pilot project include supply and demand side alternatives, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and an enhanced targeted energy efficiency (ETEE) program which will be explored to reduce peak demand on the system.

Learn more

Southern Lake Huron Pilot Project

This pilot project is located within the City of Sarnia and the Town of Plympton-Wyoming in the County of Lambton. The Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) alternatives being explored for this pilot project include demand side alternatives, such as demand response and an enhanced targeted energy efficiency program which will be explored to reduce or shift peak demand on the system.

Learn more

Thank you for attending our fall webinars across all our regions!

Here are links to the presentation slides shared at each region:

If you would like a copy of our spring webinars, please contact irp@enbridge.com and we'll provide you a copy of the presentation.

Even though the webinars are done, we want to hear what matters most to you. Take a few moments to share your thoughts on the webinars.

Projects region map
Not sure what region you are in, click on the map.

Sign up for updates

Stay informed about upcoming stakeholder engagement activities and milestones.

Frequently asked questions

Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is an enhanced planning strategy that enables Enbridge Gas to evaluate and consider non-pipe alternatives to defer or meet a system need instead of implementing a traditional pipeline project.

The Ontario Energy Board (our regulator) released the IRP Framework in July 2021 providing Enbridge Gas with guidance to evaluate non-pipeline alternatives to meet customer demand. Consideration is given to safety, cost-effectiveness, the ability for the alternative to meet the system need, and Enbridge Gas’ obligation to meet customer demand reliably.

Regional plans will explore both demand-side alternative solutions and supply-side alternative solutions to meet customer demand.

  • Demand side
    • Geotargeted energy efficiency programs
    • Demand response programs (i.e., adaptive thermostats)
  • Supply side
    • Upstream deliveries
    • Compressed natural gas (CNG)
    • Renewable natural gas
    • Liquified natural gas

In some cases, alternatives may be used in the short term, acting as a “bridge” until a long-term solution can be implemented. For example, Enbridge Gas may offer CNG in the short term until an energy efficiency program can be offered in the community and enough gas savings are achieved to defer the system needs.

Enbridge Gas is developing pilot projects in Parry Sound and the Southern Lake Huron area. For updates and information on these projects and more, check out our regional planning website.

Enbridge Gas wants to know more about energy planning and customer energy demand at regional and local levels to support short and long-term system planning. Enbridge Gas will also be looking for feedback on IRP projects and alternatives being proposed for the community.

The integrated resource planning process allows Enbridge Gas to manage uncertainty in the path toward energy transition by potentially deferring new pipeline infrastructure with alternative solutions.

Most alternatives have a lower carbon footprint which aligns with and supports municipal GHG reduction targets. IRP projects can also help to advance lower carbon fuels and technologies to the market, contributing to the pace of energy transition, cost-effectively.

Enbridge Gas will be hosting targeted stakeholder engagement sessions for specific projects as they develop. Continue to look for updates in your inbox or on our regional planning website to receive updates for upcoming stakeholder events in your area.

IRP is meant to run alongside our traditional customer connection and community expansion efforts as we work with policy-makers and a range of stakeholders to map out Ontario's energy future.

1. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-population-projections