Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP)

The OEB has released a staff discussion paper as part of its consultation to review the Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Framework. Through this consultation, the OEB aims to assess the effectiveness of the Framework’s implementation, evaluate its impact on ratepayers, and identify opportunities to improve how Enbridge Gas plans for system needs.

A stakeholder meeting will take place on October 22, 2025, to present the discussion paper and address stakeholder questions. Registered participants will also have the opportunity to submit written comments on proposed updates to the IRP Framework.

Read the OEB’s letter and staff discussion paper for more information on the consultation process and OEB staff proposals for updates to the IRP Framework for Enbridge Gas.

• Letter
• Staff Discussion Paper

As part of Enbridge's Phase 2 Rebasing Settlement Agreement under EB-2024-0111, Enbridge Gas is required to work with the IRP Working Group to develop and implement one or two system pruning pilot projects. Enbridge Gas developed its approach to system pruning in consultation with the IRP Working Group (filed as part of Enbridge Gas’s annual IRP report), with pilot implementation expected by the end of Q1 2026.

To support this initiative, Enbridge Gas, with input from the IRP Working Group, engaged external consultant DNV to conduct a jurisdictional scan of system pruning practices across North America and Europe. The resulting report is intended to provide Enbridge Gas, the IRP Working Group and the OEB with a foundational understanding of system pruning approaches, best practices and lessons learned, to assist in the development of a potential system pruning framework and pilot in Ontario.

On July 4, 2025, Enbridge filed its 2024 IRP annual report, and the IRP Working Group's annual report, as part of its 2024 Rebasing - Phase 3 - Interrogatory Responses and Evidence Update.

The OEB is initiating a consultation to review the IRP Framework (the Framework) for Enbridge Gas, Inc.

As part of the consultation, the OEB intends to consider several key items including:

• How the Framework would be best constituted to allow for broad, flexible implementation that can adapt at a pace that supports innovation,
• The OEB’s expectations and approach to oversight of innovation-related IRP proposals,
• Expectations for natural gas distributors regarding electrification as an IRP alternative, including how electricity availability issues should be considered if electrification is being proposed as an IRP alternative, and
• Opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Framework.

Other topics may also be considered during the consultation.

More information on the consultation, including how to participate, can be found here.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.