Ontario to import 600 MW of U.S. electricity this winter

Ontario will import 600 megawatts of electricity from the United States this winter under a six-month contract with New York-based Alpha Generation. The agreement, starting November 1, was announced by the province’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to secure short-term capacity during periods of facility maintenance.

The IESO noted that the contract is part of “normal system planning” to manage peak winter demand and system-wide maintenance, such as the ongoing multi-year refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. The operator emphasized that Ontario remains a net exporter of power, having exported seven times more electricity to neighboring jurisdictions like Quebec and New York than it imported in 2025.

The decision has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and political analysts. Jack Gibbons, chair of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, noted the irony of the deal following previous statements by Premier Doug Ford regarding the potential to cut off electricity exports to the U.S. amid trade tensions. Critics also expressed concerns regarding the cost of the imported power and its potential impact on consumer electricity bills.