Hydro Ottawa Teams Up with Invest OttawaHydro Ottawa is partnering with Invest Ottawa to support the development of a cleantech industry in the National Capital Region. Invest Ottawa delivers economic development programs and initiatives that increase entrepreneurial momentum, wealth and jobs in the City of Ottawa and its surrounding region.Ottawa’s cleantech industry has a wealth of talent working to develop competitive and environmentally responsible solutions in areas such as green buildings and converting waste into energy. Invest Ottawa believes the region’s cleantech sector is poised to become what the high-tech sector was in the 1980s and 1990s.In working with Invest Ottawa, Hydro Ottawa is supporting advocacy initiatives, research and professional development for the cleantech sector.This partnership is in keeping with Hydro Ottawa’s core business lines – green generation, energy management and electricity conservation. We’re proud to be involved in an emerging industry that promotes sustainable communities.

How to reach us ... For the most effective and timely response to your customer-related inquiries, please contact councillorinquiry@hydroottawa.com.

Information on power outages is available 24/7 at 613-738-0188 or www.hydroottawa.com/outages.

InsIdePremier Appoints New Cabinet Pg 2 Investing in our Infrastructure Pg 3Small Business Lighting Pg 4

From Garbage to Green Power: new Generating Facility OperationalHydro Ottawa, Ontario’s largest municipally-owned producer of green power, has just increased its generation with a new facility that transforms the greenhouse gases from decomposing garbage into renewable energy.

Construction is now complete on a new 4.2 megawatt landfill gas-to-energy facility at the Laflèche Landfill site in Moose Creek, Ontario. The facility, a partnership between Hydro Ottawa’s subsidiary company Energy Ottawa and Integrated Gas Recovery Services, is now generating enough renewable power to supply 2,500 homes.

“Expanding our generation is good business. It’s a growth opportunity that is good for the environment and provides stable long-term returns to our shareholder,” said Greg Clarke, Energy Ottawa’s Chief Operating Officer, Generation.

The Laflèche gas-to-energy plant has the potential to generate revenues of approximately $70 million over 20 years through a long-term power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority as part of the Feed-in-Tariff Program.

While less than 0.8 percent of the electricity generated in Ontario in 2011 was from landfill gas-to-energy, it is a

proven technology that has been applied at hundreds of landfills across the world.

In January 2007, Energy Ottawa launched its first landfill gas-to-energy facility at the Trail Road landfill in Ottawa’s west end. Backed by a provincial government 20-year power purchase agreement, the facility has proven beneficial to the company and the City of Ottawa.

electricity sector news

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced appointments to a new 27-member cabinet on February 11. Ottawa MPP Bob Chiarelli has been appointed the new Minister of Energy. Hydro Ottawa is thrilled to have Minister Chiarelli in this role given his knowledge about the energy sector in general and our company specifically.He has previously served as Minister of Infrastructure, Transportation and Municipal Affairs & Housing. Prior to being elected in March 2010, Minister Chiarelli served as Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton from 1997 to 2000 and then Mayor of the then newly amalgamated City of Ottawa from 2000 to 2006. Minister Chiarelli served on the Board of Directors of Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. until December 1, 2006. He also sat on the Independent Electricity System Operator Board of Directors from 2008 until his election as MPP on March 2010.The voices of Ottawa residents will continue to be heard loudly at Queen’s Park. Ottawa-Vanier’s Madeleine Meilleur retains her post as Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, while Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi was newly appointed as Ontario’s Minister of Labour.

Premier Appoints new Cabinet

The national voice of the electricity industry in Canada has launched a new public information campaign. The Canadian electricity Association hopes to stimulate and inform the discussion about the value of electricity as Canadians contemplate upcoming decisions about the investment required to maintain and secure Canada’s electricity system.“electricity seems simple, seamless and reliable, so much so that people take it for granted,” said Jim Burpee, President and CeO of the Canadian electricity Association. “We hope to encourage Canadians to think about all that goes into generating, transmitting and distributing electricity, and understand that investments will be required to ensure that our electricity system serves the changing needs of our children

and grandchildren. As people consider that, we hope they will come to the conclusion that they really are getting significant value for the money they spend.”Canada is in the midst of a national debate about electricity policy and how to ensure that the infrastructure is ready to meet the future needs of Canadians and the economy. The Conference Board of Canada has estimated that we now need as much as $350 billion invested over the next twenty years to renew electricity infrastructure.The Canadian electricity Association’s education campaign kicked off February 13 in nova scotia, and will move on to Manitoba in the spring. To learn more, visit http://knowyourpower.ca.

Association sparks debate on electricity Infrastructure Investment

On February 19, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor David C. Onley delivered the government’s Speech from the Throne to open the next session of provincial parliament under the leadership of Premier Kathleen Wynne.The speech highlighted the government’s assurance that every part of the province will continue to have dependable, affordable sources of energy. “Because conservation is the cheapest source of energy available, Ontario will continue to be a leader in smart-grid technology and energy conservation, and see the creation of new-economy jobs through the deployment of leading energy efficiency technologies in our homes and our businesses,” said the Honourable David C. Onley as he delivered the speech.The government stated it will continue its work to end coal-fired energy generation. Ontario has made a commitment to eliminate of coal-fired generation by the end of 2014.The Speech from the Throne also indicated the provincial government intends to work with communities when new infrastructure is needed, saying municipalities “must have a voice in their future and a say in their integrated, regional development. So that local populations are involved from the beginning if there is going to be a gas plant or a casino or a wind plant or a quarry in their hometown. Because our economy can benefit from these things, but only if we have willing hosts.”For the full Ontario Speech from the Throne, please visit the Office of the Premier’s website at www.premier.gov.on.ca/news.

Ontario speech from the Throne

Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor David C. Onley, Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli and Premier Kathleen Wynne. Photo: Ontario Newsroom

2

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

20162015201420132012

Sustainment of infrastructure

Other

Third party work including LRT

105

20

35

50

108

22

37

49

100

16

32

52

100

11

34

55

96

9

30

57

Investing in Ottawa’s electricity infrastructure is necessary to keep the supply of power as reliable as possible. From 2012 to 2016, Hydro Ottawa expects to invest about $100 million annually to maintain, replace and enhance our infrastructure – for example, new distribution substations, poles, wires and transformers.

The average age of Canada’s electricity generating units is about 32 years. Investments in new transmission and distribution grids have also not kept pace. Like many Ontario cities, much of Ottawa’s electricity distribution infrastructure is more than 25 years old.

Gross Capital expenditures ($M)

Investing in our Infrastructure

For the fifth consecutive year, Hydro Ottawa has been named one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers. The award recognizes employers that offer exceptional places to work.The award is a testament to the strength of our employees, and the culture we share of caring for our customers, our community, and our environment. Hydro Ottawa is focused on building an organization that attracts the best employees and retains them by offering an exceptional workplace. Among its many programs are those that recognize employee achievements, encourage employee feedback to management, strongly promote employee health and workplace safety, and provide employees with training and advancement opportunities.The National Capital Region Top Employers Award selects organizations that offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs in the areas of physical workplace; work and social atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

Hydro Ottawa a Top employer in the national Capital Region

For 2012, major projects included:

• $19.7M in distribution system asset replacement (including cables, poles, transformers and switchgear);

• $10.5M in substation asset replacement (switchgear, transformers, protection systems);

• $13.1M in new substation capacity (Terry Fox, Hinchey, Limebank, Casselman and Fallowfield substations); and

• $8.4M in distribution enhancements — new circuits, reliability ties and improving operational flexibility.

Our system includes ... • 48,377 poles

• 16,801 pole mounted transformers

• 18,376 pad mounted transformers

• 3,225 underground chambers

• 2,915 kilometres overhead lines

• 2,690 kilometres underground lines

• 170 station power transformers

3

Small Business Lighting program offers:• A free assessment to identify

possible energy savings

• Up to $1,500 of energy efficient retrofits – including all equipment and labour

• Plus, access to additional incentives

Owners and tenants with a general service account of less than 50 kW may qualify for the Small Business Lighting Program.

Up to $1,500 in lighting and equipment upgrades –

free of charge.

AE Solutions is working with Hydro Ottawa to deliver the SMALL BUSINESS LIGHTING PROGRAM. Visit AE Solutions for more information, to speak with a qualified lighting professional, or to apply.

T: 613.216.1740 300 Earl Grey Drive, Suite 239Ottawa ON K2T 1C1

www.hydroottawa.com/lighting

4