Letter to editor: Natural gas still has a critical role in Ontario's home heating

Ontario deserves an energy system that is sustainable, reliable and affordable. We cannot prioritize one over the other.

An updated Pathways to Net Zero report prepared by Guidehouse continues to demonstrate that the most cost-effective path to net-zero emissions balances end-use electrification with leveraging Ontario’s gas system to deliver renewable gases (RNG and hydrogen) and pairing natural gas with carbon capture.

Importantly, this approach delivers other significant consumer benefits. It more reliably meets our energy needs on the hottest and coldest days, is more resilient to extreme weather, gives consumers more choice and has solutions for industrial processes that cannot be practically electrified, all at a lower cost by reducing the buildout of the electric system needed to meet peak demand.

Others share this conclusion. The Powering Ontario’s Growth plan recognizes that “natural gas will continue to play a critical role in providing Ontarians with a reliable and cost-effective fuel supply for space heating, industrial growth, and economic prosperity. With developments in energy efficiency, and low-carbon fuels such as RNG and low-carbon hydrogen, the natural gas distribution system will help contribute to the province’s transition from higher carbon fuels in a cost-effective way.”

An Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) report shows that reliable electricity service cannot be maintained, nor can the system support further electrification if gas generation is phased out by 2030. Even under the most optimistic scenario, the IESO would frequently need to resort to emergency actions such as rotating blackouts to manage energy shortfalls.

Furthermore, the IESO projects that Ontario’s electricity demand could double by mid-century with expanded use in electric vehicles and manufacturing.

The benefits of a diversified path to net zero are clear.

Malini Giridhar is Enbridge Gas's vice-president of business development and regulatory.