Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP)
A planning strategy and process evaluating pipeline alternatives for natural gas system needs.
Integrated Resource Planning is a planning strategy and process that evaluates and compares demand-side and supply-side alternatives to pipeline infrastructure in meeting natural gas system needs, and identifies and implements the alternative (or combination of alternatives) that is in the best interest of Enbridge Gas and its customers, taking into account reliability and safety, cost-effectiveness, public policy, optimized scoping, and risk management.
The OEB issued a Decision and Order on Enbridge Gas's application requesting OEB policy guidance on its IRP proposal. In response to Enbridge Gas's application, the OEB established a first-generation IRP Framework that provides direction on the OEB’s requirements as Enbridge Gas considers IRP to meet its system needs.
The OEB established an IRP Technical Working Group (IRPWG) to assist in the implementation of the IRP Framework. The IRPWG is expected to support an efficient and transparent implementation of the initial phase of the IRP Framework, facilitating future innovation in the energy sector regarding appropriate responses to emerging system needs.
A planning strategy and process evaluating pipeline alternatives for natural gas system needs.
Integrated Resource Planning is a planning strategy and process that evaluates and compares demand-side and supply-side alternatives to pipeline infrastructure in meeting natural gas system needs, and identifies and implements the alternative (or combination of alternatives) that is in the best interest of Enbridge Gas and its customers, taking into account reliability and safety, cost-effectiveness, public policy, optimized scoping, and risk management.
The OEB issued a Decision and Order on Enbridge Gas's application requesting OEB policy guidance on its IRP proposal. In response to Enbridge Gas's application, the OEB established a first-generation IRP Framework that provides direction on the OEB’s requirements as Enbridge Gas considers IRP to meet its system needs.
The OEB established an IRP Technical Working Group (IRPWG) to assist in the implementation of the IRP Framework. The IRPWG is expected to support an efficient and transparent implementation of the initial phase of the IRP Framework, facilitating future innovation in the energy sector regarding appropriate responses to emerging system needs.
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2023 IRP annual report filed
On July 2, 2024, Enbridge filed its 2023 IRP annual report, and the IRP Working Group's annual report, as Appendix E of its deferral & variance account application.
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IRP Pilot Projects application filed
On July 19, 2023, Enbridge filed its IRP Pilot Projects application under EB-2022-0335. The application seeks approval of costs and the accounting treatment of costs associated with the 2 pilot projects.
Enbridge designed 2 pilot projects to implement demand-side IRPAs in combination with supply-side IRPAs in the communities of Parry Sound (the “Parry Sound Pilot Project”) and the City of Sarnia and Town of Plympton Wyoming (the “Southern Lake Huron Pilot Project”). These IRP Pilot Projects aim to mitigate identified system constraints and associated facility reinforcement projects, and are also intended to provide learnings regarding future IRPA design, performance, and potential for scalability.
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Three IRP reports posted
The OEB has posted three Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) reports:
The IRP Working Group’s report, Use of the Discounted Cash Flow-Plus Test in Integrated Resource Planning, presents the Working Group’s views on applying the Discounted Cash Flow-Plus (DCF+) economic evaluation methodology to compare traditional pipeline infrastructure and IRP alternatives (e.g., geotargeted energy efficiency, compressed natural gas) to assist in determining which alternative is the preferred option to address a system need. This will assist Enbridge Gas in filing an enhanced DCF+ test and supporting handbook for OEB approval as part of the first non-pilot IRP Plan application.
The Enbridge Gas 2022 Annual IRP Report provides details on Enbridge Gas’s implementation of the IRP framework in 2022 and discusses IRP priorities for 2023.
The IRP Working Group’s 2022 IRP Annual Report provides comments on Enbridge Gas’s implementation of the IRP Framework, and also provides a summary of activities undertaken by the Working Group over the previous year.
Please refer to the “IRP Working Group Reports” section on the right-hand panel to access these reports.
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2021 IRP annual report filed
On June 10, 2022, Enbridge filed its 2021 IRP annual report, and the IRP Working Group's annual report, as Exhibit H of its deferral & variance account application
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IRPWG meetings begin
Beginning January 2022, the IRP working group met on a monthly basis and established a DCF+ subgroup to assist Enbridge by providing input on the development of 2 IRP pilots and an enhanced DCF+ benefit cost analysis test.
Refer to the Terms of Reference for scope, priorities and responsibilities of the working group and its members.
Refer to Meeting Folders for materials and meeting notes summarizing the working group agenda, discussion and findings.
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OEB selects membership on the IRPWG
On December 6, 2021, the OEB announced the initial membership of the IRP Technical Working Group through a Membership Selection Letter.
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OEB receives participation request letters
November 8, 2021 marks the deadline to submit nominations for non-utility membership on the IRP Technical Working Group. All participation request letters received can be found on the public record.
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OEB calls for nomination to the IRPWG
On October 19, 2021, the OEB issued a letter initiating the process to establish an IRP Technical Working Group. The OEB is seeking nominations from individuals interested in participating on the Working Group as non-utility members.
Consultation timeline
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July 29, 2021: Project launch
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
October 19, 2021: IRPWG call for nomination
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
November 8, 2021: Participation request letters received
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
December 6, 2021: Membership selection
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
June 10, 2022: Enbridge and IRP Working Group files 2021 IRP Annual Report
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
May 2023: Working Group Report on DCF+ benefit cost analysis test and Enbridge and Working Group 2022 annual reports
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
July 19, 2023: Enbridge Gas IRP pilot application to OEB
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
July 2, 2024: Enbridge and Working Group 2023 IRP annual reports filed
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) has finished this stage -
January 2022 - Present: Meetings of IRP Working Group
Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is currently at this stage
IRP Meeting calendar
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September 25 2024
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October 09 2024
IRP Working Group meetings
- Meeting #1 (January 18, 2022)
- Meeting #2 (February 15, 2022)
- Meeting #3 (March 22, 2022)
- Meeting #4 (April 26, 2022)
- Meeting #5 (May 24, 2022)
- Meeting #6 (June 21, 2022)
- Secondary meeting #7 (July 5, 2022)
- Meeting #8 (July 19, 2022)
- Secondary meeting #9 (August 9, 2022)
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Meeting #10 (August 23, 2022)
- Presentation: Enbridge (IRP Pilot Discussion) - Note slides 10-37 are not included, as Enbridge has requested that these details not be made public (724 KB) (pdf)
- Posterity Memo: Peak Hour Calculation (802 KB) (pdf)
- Enbridge Report: Previous IRP Pilots - Deep River & Ingleside (2.05 MB) (PDF)
- Meeting notes (98.6 KB) (docx)
- Secondary meeting #11 (September 13, 2022)
- Meeting #12 (September 27, 2022)
- Secondary meeting # 13 (October 12, 2022)
- Meeting #14 (October 25, 2022)
- Secondary Meeting #15 (November 8, 2022)
- Meeting #16 (November 22, 2022)
- Secondary meeting #17 (December 6, 2022)
- Meeting #18 (December 20, 2022)
- Secondary meeting #19 (January 10, 2023)
- Meeting #20 (January 24, 2023)
- Secondary meeting #21 (February 7, 2023)
- Meeting #22 (February 21, 2023)
- Meeting #23 (March 21, 2023)
- Meeting #24 (April 18, 2023)
- Meeting #25 (May 9, 2023)
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Meeting #26 (May 23, 2023)
- Presentation: Enbridge (Updates on reports, projects, pilots and Discussion of IRP Processes) (546 KB) (pdf)
- JT5.36 - Attachment 1 (Enbridge IRP assessment process) (48.2 KB) (pdf)
- JT5.36 - Attachment 2 (Enbridge IRP assessment process) (351 KB) (pdf)
- JT5.36 - Attachment 3 (Enbridge IRP assessment process) (86.5 KB) (pdf)
- JT5.36 - Attachment 4 (Enbridge IRP assessment process) (85.2 KB) (pdf)
- Meeting notes (119 KB) (docx)
- Meeting #27 (June 20, 2023)
- Meeting #28 (October 3, 2023)
- Meeting #29 (October 17, 2023)
- Meeting #30 (October 31, 2023)
- Meeting #31 (November 28, 2023)
- Meeting #32 (December 12, 2023)
- Meeting #33 (February 21 2024)
- Meeting #34 (March 20, 2024)
- Meeting #35 (April 10, 2024)
- Meeting #36 (April 24, 2024)
- Meeting #37 (May 10, 2024)
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Meeting #38 (June 5, 2024)
- Presentation: Enbridge (Annual Report Feedback & Parry Sound Pilot Update) (157 KB) (pdf)
- Presentation: OEB (WG Report & 2024 IRP Priorities) (531 KB) (pdf)
- Toronto Egress Data (38.3 KB) (docx)
- Posterity Model Summary (35 KB) (docx)
- Posterity Model - Data Inputs, Assumptions & Methods (3.57 MB) (pdf)
- Posterity's End Use Model (22 MB) (pdf)
- Posterity - Peak Modelling Method (1.51 MB) (pdf)
- Meeting notes (151 KB) (docx)
- Meeting #39 (June 19, 2024)
- Meeting #40 (July 3, 2024)
- Meeting #41 (July 25, 2024)
- Meeting #42 (August 21, 2024)
- Meeting #43 (September 4, 2024)
- Special Meeting - System Pruning (September 9, 2024)
- Meeting #44 (September 25, 2024)
IRP Working Group reports
Important links
We're listening
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Email stephanie.cheng@oeb.ca -
Email michael.parkes@oeb.ca