Ontario needs clean, affordable, and reliable energy; not just more electricity. That’s why OSPE has launched a focused advocacy campaign to put Thermal Energy Systems (TES) on the policy map alongside electrification. Our goal is simple: make thermal a mainstream pillar of Ontario’s clean energy transition.
Why thermal energy and why now?
Most of Ontario’s energy demand is heat (space heating, hot water, industrial processes). Thermal networks like district energy, geo-exchange, sewage and industrial waste-heat recovery, and thermal storage can decarbonize buildings faster and more affordably while easing pressure on the grid. When paired with electrification, TES improves reliability, lowers system costs, and helps cities retrofit at scale.
Bottom line: Thermal complements electrification. It doesn’t compete with it.
What we’re advocating for
We’ve set five strategic goals to guide our work:
- Elevate thermal as a viable, affordable, scalable decarbonization solution in Ontario.
- Position engineers at the centre of planning, design, and delivery of TES.
- Embed TES in Ontario’s Integrated Energy Plan and funding frameworks.
- Build public and stakeholder support for thermal innovation, especially urban retrofits and district systems.
- Demystify the tech with clear, practical explanations of how TES works and where it fits.
Our core messages:
- Thermal is proven. Used widely in Europe and Asia, TES is reliable and efficient for new builds and retrofits.
- Engineers make it work. Designing, integrating, and optimizing TES is an engineering challenge, our profession delivers it.
- It strengthens the grid. Thermal reduces peak demand and helps manage electrification costs.
- It’s a missed opportunity. Ignoring thermal today risks stranded assets and higher future costs.
We’ve kicked off outreach to priority decision-makers and partners to secure policy and program changes that recognize and fund thermal:
- Provincial ministries: Energy; Municipal Affairs & Housing; Rural Affairs; Infrastructure.
- Energy agencies & regulators: Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to ensure TES is considered in system and local distribution planning.
- Municipal leaders: Targeted engagement in cities where district energy and urban retrofit opportunities are strongest.
Thermal energy is a critical – yet overlooked – piece of Ontario’s clean-energy future. With engineers at the table, TES can help us decarbonize smarter. OSPE is moving this forward with government, municipalities, utilities, and industry so Ontario can build the right mix of solutions for real-world results.
If you’d like to contribute a case study, join a briefing, or partner with OSPE on this advocacy, reach us at advocacy@ospe.on.ca with the subject line “Thermal Energy – Get Involved.”
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