ONTARIO POWER GENERATION AND OAKVILLE HYDRO ENERGY SERVICES INC. SIGN DEAL FOR GREEN POWER
Toronto, March 7, 2003 - Ontario Power Generation (OPG), a leading generator and seller of electricity, today announced that it has signed a deal to supply Green Power to Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc. (OHESI), the retail arm of Oakville Hydro Corporation. Effective today, OHESI is offering customers in the Town of Oakville and surrounding area the option of purchasing Evergreen Clean Green Power - low environmental impact electricity that is generated using renewable energy resources such as wind, biomass and low-impact hydro. This is the first time an Ontario energy retailer has offered OPG's Evergreen Energy Clean Green Power to residential customers. The OHESI offer is available to customers through its "Green Light Pact" Program.
"We're very pleased and excited to be able to offer Green Power benefits to our customers," says Alex Bystrin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oakville Hydro Corporation. "By signing on for Green Power from Ontario Power Generation, we now have access to a constant, reliable portfolio of renewable energy that will enable us to help our customers meet a wide range of business and personal objectives."
Bystrin adds that the company also plans to make its Green Power offerings available to residential and business customers in other parts of the Province.
Pete Sprukulis, Vice-President, Marketing at Ontario Power Generation, says that the decision by OHESI to offer its customers Green Power from OPG demonstrates commitment to environmental leadership that others may like to follow.
"It is important for all members of the community to work together to protect the environment," Sprukulis says. "A growing number of consumers understand that purchasing Green Power can provide a visible demonstration of environmental commitment. OPG believes that the decision by OHESI on Green Power is one that will encourage the growth of the renewable energy sector."
About OPG Green Power
OPG Green Power is drawn from a renewable energy pool that is expected to grow in line with market demand. OPG Green Power is generated exclusively at facilities that are EcoLogoM certified or the equivalent, and that exceed the rigorous requirements outlined by federal legislation. All OPG injections of Green Power into the Ontario grid on behalf of customers are tracked, verified, and audited, if necessary, by an independent third party. OPG is selling environmentally friendly electricity directly to large industrial and commercial organizations and to energy resellers. OPG does not supply the residential market directly. For more information about Green Power, visit www.greenpower.opg.com.
About Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc.
When deregulation was introduced to the Ontario electricity industry, Oakville
Hydro Corporation established a subsidiary to participate in the competitive
aspects of the new marketplace. OHESI is divided into two areas, one dealing
with metering and energy management, and the Retail Division dealing in fixed
electricity commodity rates and alternative energy programs for residential
and commercial customers. Oakville Hydro's companies have been in the electricity
industry for almost 100 years.
About Ontario Power Generation
Ontario Power Generation is an Ontario based company, whose principal business is the generation and sale of electricity to customers in Ontario and to interconnected markets. Our focus is on the risk-managed production and sale of reliable electricity from our competitive generation assets. OPG's goal is to be a premier North American energy company, while operating in a safe, open and environmentally responsible manner. For more information, visit www.opg.com.
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