Community Report - Q4 2022

Shareholder Municipalities

Elexicon Energy’s quarterly reports provide our valued communities and customers with a progress and impact update. Each report details Elexicon’s continued commitment to customer service, system reliability, corporate social responsibility, operations management and other significant updates – nurturing transparency and open communication between Elexicon and its stakeholders.

Select a community report in your region from the tab below.

Town of Ajax

Image for Ajax

We proudly serve 39,000 residential and business customers in the Town of Ajax with reliable and affordable energy services.

The Community Reports support our commitment to transparency and keeping our shareholder communities up to date on our activities more frequently. The reports include information on Customer Service, System Reliability, Operations and Asset Improvements, Communications and Thought Leadership, Innovation and Sustainability, Industry News and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Have a question or require more information? communications@elexiconenergy.com

Customer Experience

  • On October 21, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) announced that electricity prices for households and small businesses would be lowered as of November 1 under the Regulated Price Plan. The winter Time-of-Use (TOU) hours and the change in the threshold for residential customers on Tiered pricing took effect November 1 as usual.
  • The OEB also announced that effective November 1, the Ontario government’s Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) would be changed to 11.7 per cent. The OER is a pre-tax credit that appears at the bottom of electricity bills. For a typical residential customer who uses 700 kWh of electricity per month, the OER would decrease bills by $13.91 each month.
  • The OEB’s residential Winter Disconnection Ban resumed on November 15. Elexicon Energy is continuing regular business practices of disconnecting commercial customers for non-payment with a focus on those customers who have the highest arrears.
  • Residential and small business customers can choose their price plan, either TOU or Tiered pricing. Customers are not required to select a price plan and are automatically enrolled in TOU. If they wish to switch, they must notify Elexicon by submitting an election form. As of December 31, 6,564 Elexicon customers (or 3.8 per cent) have changed their pricing structure or are in the process of doing so.
  • There are financial assistance programs in place to support customers, including the Low-income Energy Assistance Program and the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Elexicon continues to encourage customers experiencing difficulty paying their bill to contact us to discuss bill payment options.
  • Elexicon values its customers, and our Customer Experience team strives to provide customers with assistance in a timely and respectful manner. Provided below are the number of calls and written enquires our team received and responded to in Q4 2022.
    • Phone Calls

    Oct: 7,999

    Nov: 7,598

    Dec: 5,806

    TOTAL: 21,403

    Written Enquiries

    Oct: 1,278

    Nov: 1,119

    Dec: 1,321

    TOTAL: 3,718

System Reliability

More than 39,000 homes and businesses in the Town of Ajax depend on a steady supply of electricity to power their lives. Elexicon Energy takes service reliability very seriously and continues to monitor and mitigate any trends to ensure system reliability.

System Reliability
The average number of hours that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.11 compared to 0.25 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Unknown/Other:
1,993 hrs compared to 3,380 hrs in Q4 2021

Foreign Interference*:
1,566 hrs compared to 1,011 hrs in Q4 2021

Defective Equipment:
338 hrs compared to 1,461 hrs in Q4 2021

TOTAL OUTAGE DURATION IN CUSTOMER HOURS:

4,153 hrs in Q4 2022 compared to 9,682 hrs in Q4 2021

System Reliability
The average number of times that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.22 compared to 0.54 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Foreign Interference:
8 outages compared to 14 outages in Q4 2021

Defective Equipment:
3 outages compared to 12 outages in Q4 2021

Scheduled Outage:
3 outages compared to 5 outages in Q4 2021

TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTAGES:

18 in Q4 2022 compared to 40 in Q4 2021

* The Ontario Energy Board describes Foreign Interference as interruptions beyond the control of the distributor such as those caused by animals, vehicles, dig-ins, vandalism, sabotage and other foreign interference.

Operations and Asset Improvements

Operations and Asset Improvements
  • Completed: 10 inline switch replacements throughout the town.
  • Completed: 40 pole replacements throughout the town.
    • Transformer upgrade on Tulloch Drive.
  • Completed: : Underground cable replacement on Mayor Cresent.

Communications and Thought Leadership

  • On October 19, Elexicon Energy President and CEO Indrani Butany joined Anita Sharma, television news anchor, for a fireside chat at the Ontario Energy Network’s Fall Networking Luncheon held at The National Club in Toronto. Indrani spoke on a number of topics, including the vital role local distribution companies (LDCs) play in the communities they serve and how Ontario’s energy sector must transform to reach its net-zero targets. She also shared her views on the importance of conservation programs, why the programs should also be in the hands of LDCs, and how LDC conservation programs can eliminate a sizable percentage of the forecasted energy supply shortfall. Indrani also touched upon the future of electric vehicles in Canada, and the importance of preparing and modernizing the grid for the energy transformation that is already underway.
  • Elexicon participated in the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference held October 25 and 26 at Durham College in Oshawa. The on-campus event, in its fourth year, featured a series of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of curiosity in science, technology and skilled trades, and connect Grade 7 and 8 girls to career opportunities in these fields.
  • In April 2022, the Minister of Energy announced that the government would be bringing together an Electrification and Energy Transition Panel. On November 17, the province announced its appointments to the panel. Elexicon applauded this selection of diverse leaders; the guidance they will provide on long-term energy planning; and how Ontario can best support electrification to ensure the energy transition continues to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
  • Elexicon, along with Alectra Utilities, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa and Toronto Hydro, joined forces during the month of December to increase awareness of utility-related scams and how customers can spot them. The utilities encouraged all customers to protect themselves, especially during the holiday season, and provided tips to stay safe.
  • Elexicon and Grandview Kids announced their inaugural Dream Big, Dream Brighters fundraising event raised $32,620. The proceeds will ensure Grandview Kids can continue to provide family-centred pediatric and rehabilitation services for children and youth with physical, communication and development needs living in Durham Region. The event kicked-off a multi-year partnership between Elexicon and Grandview Kids.
  • On December 5, Energy Minister Todd Smith joined today Elexicon and several other Ontario utilities to launch the new Green Button Data that will allow families and businesses across the organization’s service territory to track and control their energy use and save money on monthly bills. Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to mandate the standard.
  • On December 29, Elexicon announced its sponsorship of the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games being held in Durham Region from February 3 to 5, 2023. The Games will attract 550 participants, from athletes and coaches to officials and volunteers. Athletes will compete in 11 sport competitions at eight venues located across Durham Region.
Communications Thought Leadership

Innovation and Sustainability

  • Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, sent a directive to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on October 4, 2022 regarding the administration of conservation and demand management (CDM) programs in Ontario. The directive states LDCs should be able to administer their own CDM programs, and that the IESO should support any LDCs seeking funding from the Ontario Energy Board in this regard.
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, released the 2022 Federal Fall Economic Statement. The announcement included several tax credits for supporting clean electricity. Under the new Clean Technologies Investment Tax Credit, eligible corporations will receive up to 30 per cent of the capital cost of electricity generation systems, stationary electricity storage systems that do not use fossil fuels in their operations, low-carbon heat equipment, and industrial zero-emission vehicles and charging. A suite of other programs and tax credits are also detailed.
  • The Canadian Renewable Energy Association launched the Electricity Transition Hub. The Hub is a knowledge-transfer tool helping electric utilities and system operators accelerate their decarbonization efforts. It will equip participants to integrate larger amounts of wind, solar and energy storage needed to support electrification. A curated resource library and sharing relevant knowledge and skills through a quarterly report, quarterly meetings, and an annual Hub Summit event, are part of the Hub.
  • The IESO released their Pathways to Decarbonization Report, which was requested by the Minister of Energy in October 2021. The report examines potential pathways for phasing out natural gas. A moratorium on natural gas is not expected to be possible before 2027 and that will require $26 billion to be invested into new infrastructure. Completely decarbonizing Ontario’s electricity system by 2050 was also explored, and will require significant investment (estimated to be between $375-425 billion over two decades) and the inclusion of new low-carbon technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, wind and energy storage.

Industry News

  • The Ontario government is increasing funding for the province’s energy-efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total investment to more than $1 billion over the current four-year electricity conservation framework. This funding will support new and expanded programs that will help families and businesses reduce their electricity use so they can save money on their energy bills, while helping to meet the province’s emerging electricity system needs.
  • The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) released a paper in which they advocate that conservation programs should be placed back into the hands of local distribution companies (LDCs). They state that LDC conservation programs could eliminate 94 per cent of the energy supply shortfall by 2026 that was forecasted in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s 2021 Annual Planning Outlook, and by 2032 the energy supply gap will be eliminated and the peak energy shortfall reduced by 55 per cent. The paper can be downloaded from the EDA’s website.
  • On December 5, the Ontario government celebrated the opening of General Motors of Canada’s (GM Canada) first full-scale electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Ingersoll and the first BrightDrop Zevo 600s to be made at the facility. With support from the province, GM Canada has transformed its CAMI manufacturing plant into an all-EV manufacturing facility, the first of its kind in Canada. This project helps secure the province’s position as a global automotive hub with the vehicles of the future being built in Ontario by Ontario workers, from start to finish.
  • The IESO released their Annual Planning Outlook, which explores the supply gap forecast for the mid-2020s. The forecasted gap is being lessened due to recent activity of nuclear refurbishments, government decisions and supply procurements including this year’s first Medium-Term RFP. The upcoming annual December Capacity Auction is expected to procure 4,000 MW of generation for the Long-Term RFP and address the remaining reliability concerns.
  • The IESO also released their 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Mid-Term Report. In the remaining two years, enhancements will be made to the programs to reflect changing market conditions and customer feedback. The report also explicitly recommends engaging with local distribution companies on opportunities to build on CDM programs to provide local system benefits, leveraging the Ontario Energy Board’s CDM Guidelines for electricity distributors. To achieve zero emissions objectives, the IESO emphasizes that Ontario must build and expand its use of CDM programs to meet system needs.
Industry News

Corporate Social Responsibility

CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM UPDATE:

  • 2022 Budget: $80,119
  • Amount spent to date: $80,119

RECENT CORPORATE GIVING RECIPIENTS:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-West Durham
  • Herizon House
  • Ontario Philharmonic
  • Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue
  • Town of Ajax Santa Claus Parade and New Year’s Eve Party

“Elexicon Energy’s donation helped us provide engaging, self-esteem building activities for the women and children in our care. This has allowed us to continue supporting families in our community with food, clothing and counselling, and to take the first steps towards a life free of abuse. Thank you Elexicon.”

– Hilda Moe, Community Development Coordinator

Herizon House

“Ontario Philharmonic is deeply grateful to Elexicon Energy for their continued support. Expansion of OP’s child, youth and seniors programming flourishes with Elexicon’s vital contribution, building our community’s resilience, instilling experiential wealth and delivering hope to those who struggle with socio-economic barriers. OP is a treasured cultural asset in its 67th year, and is the only professional orchestra between Toronto and Ottawa.”

– Laura Vaillancourt, Executive Director

Ontario Philharmonic

“We want to thank Elexicon Energy for sponsoring the Wild Winter Festival of Lights. As we reflect on the success of the event, we are so proud of how the community came together to support it. A total of 61 local organizations chose to participate in the festival by either creating a holiday display or funding a set display. The festival supported Durham’s food, collecting approximately 30,000 pounds of non-perishable food. In addition, the festival supported three charities: Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Shriners Hospitals for Children and J.A.G. Village – a support program for grieving children who have lost a sibling. Support from organizations like Elexicon not only benefit the community and charities, but also put smiles on children’s faces.”

– Stefanie MacEwan, Founder & Licensed Wildlife Custodian

Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue

City of Belleville

Image for Belleville

We proudly serve 18,000 residential and business customers in the City of Belleville with reliable and affordable energy services.

The Community Reports support our commitment to transparency and keeping our shareholder communities up to date on our activities more frequently. The reports include information on Customer Service, System Reliability, Operations and Asset Improvements, Communications and Thought Leadership, Innovation and Sustainability, Industry News and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Have a question or require more information? communications@elexiconenergy.com

Customer Experience

  • On October 21, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) announced that electricity prices for households and small businesses would be lowered as of November 1 under the Regulated Price Plan. The winter Time-of-Use (TOU) hours and the change in the threshold for residential customers on Tiered pricing took effect November 1 as usual.
  • The OEB also announced that effective November 1, the Ontario government’s Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) would be changed to 11.7 per cent. The OER is a pre-tax credit that appears at the bottom of electricity bills. For a typical residential customer who uses 700 kWh of electricity per month, the OER would decrease bills by $13.91 each month.
  • The OEB’s residential Winter Disconnection Ban resumed on November 15. Elexicon Energy is continuing regular business practices of disconnecting commercial customers for non-payment with a focus on those customers who have the highest arrears.
  • Residential and small business customers can choose their price plan, either TOU or Tiered pricing. Customers are not required to select a price plan and are automatically enrolled in TOU. If they wish to switch, they must notify Elexicon by submitting an election form. As of December 31, 6,564 Elexicon customers (or 3.8 per cent) have changed their pricing structure or are in the process of doing so.
  • There are financial assistance programs in place to support customers, including the Low-income Energy Assistance Program and the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Elexicon continues to encourage customers experiencing difficulty paying their bill to contact us to discuss bill payment options.
  • Elexicon values its customers, and our Customer Experience team strives to provide customers with assistance in a timely and respectful manner. Provided below are the number of calls and written enquires our team received and responded to in Q4 2022.
    • Phone Calls

    Oct: 7,999

    Nov: 7,598

    Dec: 5,806

    TOTAL: 21,403

    Written Enquiries

    Oct: 1,278

    Nov: 1,119

    Dec: 1,321

    TOTAL: 3,718

System Reliability

More than 18,000 homes and businesses in the City of Belleville depend on a steady supply of electricity to power their lives. Elexicon Energy takes service reliability very seriously and continues to monitor and mitigate any trends to ensure system reliability.

System Reliability
The average number of hours that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.65 compared to 0.30 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Defective Equipment:
9,546 hrs compared to 446 hrs in Q4 2021

Scheduled Outage:
1,279 hrs compared to 188 hrs in Q4 2021

Unknown/Other:
952 hrs compared to 191 hrs in Q4 2021

TOTAL OUTAGE DURATION IN CUSTOMER HOURS:

11,882 hrs in Q4 2022 compared to 5,391 hrs in Q4 2021

System Reliability
The average number of times that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.56 compared to 0.27 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Scheduled Outage:
8 outages outages compared to 4 outages in Q4 2021

Foreign Interference*:
4 outages compared to 5 outages in Q4 2021

Defective Equipment:
3 outages compared to 9 outages in Q4 2021

TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTAGES:

19 in Q4 2022 compared to 28 in Q4 2021

*The Ontario Energy Board describes Foreign Interference as interruptions beyond the control of the distributor such as those caused by animals, vehicles, dig-ins, vandalism, sabotage and other foreign interference.

Operations and Asset Improvements

Operations and Asset Improvements
  • Completed: 25 pole replacements throughout the city.

Communications and Thought Leadership

  • On October 19, Elexicon Energy President and CEO Indrani Butany joined Anita Sharma, television news anchor, for a fireside chat at the Ontario Energy Network’s Fall Networking Luncheon held at The National Club in Toronto. Indrani spoke on a number of topics, including the vital role local distribution companies (LDCs) play in the communities they serve and how Ontario’s energy sector must transform to reach its net-zero targets. She also shared her views on the importance of conservation programs, why the programs should also be in the hands of LDCs, and how LDC conservation programs can eliminate a sizable percentage of the forecasted energy supply shortfall. Indrani also touched upon the future of electric vehicles in Canada, and the importance of preparing and modernizing the grid for the energy transformation that is already underway.
  • Elexicon participated in the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference held October 25 and 26 at Durham College in Oshawa. The on-campus event, in its fourth year, featured a series of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of curiosity in science, technology and skilled trades, and connect Grade 7 and 8 girls to career opportunities in these fields.
  • In April 2022, the Minister of Energy announced that the government would be bringing together an Electrification and Energy Transition Panel. On November 17, the province announced its appointments to the panel. Elexicon applauded this selection of diverse leaders; the guidance they will provide on long-term energy planning; and how Ontario can best support electrification to ensure the energy transition continues to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
  • Elexicon, along with Alectra Utilities, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa and Toronto Hydro, joined forces during the month of December to increase awareness of utility-related scams and how customers can spot them. The utilities encouraged all customers to protect themselves, especially during the holiday season, and provided tips to stay safe.
  • Elexicon and Grandview Kids announced their inaugural Dream Big, Dream Brighters fundraising event raised $32,620. The proceeds will ensure Grandview Kids can continue to provide family-centred pediatric and rehabilitation services for children and youth with physical, communication and development needs living in Durham Region. The event kicked-off a multi-year partnership between Elexicon and Grandview Kids.
  • On December 5, Energy Minister Todd Smith joined today Elexicon and several other Ontario utilities to launch the new Green Button Data that will allow families and businesses across the organization’s service territory to track and control their energy use and save money on monthly bills. Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to mandate the standard.
  • On December 29, Elexicon announced its sponsorship of the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games being held in Durham Region from February 3 to 5, 2023. The Games will attract 550 participants, from athletes and coaches to officials and volunteers. Athletes will compete in 11 sport competitions at eight venues located across Durham Region.
Communications Thought Leadership

Innovation and Sustainability

  • Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, sent a directive to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on October 4, 2022 regarding the administration of conservation and demand management (CDM) programs in Ontario. The directive states LDCs should be able to administer their own CDM programs, and that the IESO should support any LDCs seeking funding from the Ontario Energy Board in this regard.
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, released the 2022 Federal Fall Economic Statement. The announcement included several tax credits for supporting clean electricity. Under the new Clean Technologies Investment Tax Credit, eligible corporations will receive up to 30 per cent of the capital cost of electricity generation systems, stationary electricity storage systems that do not use fossil fuels in their operations, low-carbon heat equipment, and industrial zero-emission vehicles and charging. A suite of other programs and tax credits are also detailed.
  • The Canadian Renewable Energy Association launched the Electricity Transition Hub. The Hub is a knowledge-transfer tool helping electric utilities and system operators accelerate their decarbonization efforts. It will equip participants to integrate larger amounts of wind, solar and energy storage needed to support electrification. A curated resource library and sharing relevant knowledge and skills through a quarterly report, quarterly meetings, and an annual Hub Summit event, are part of the Hub.
  • The IESO released their Pathways to Decarbonization Report, which was requested by the Minister of Energy in October 2021. The report examines potential pathways for phasing out natural gas. A moratorium on natural gas is not expected to be possible before 2027 and that will require $26 billion to be invested into new infrastructure. Completely decarbonizing Ontario’s electricity system by 2050 was also explored, and will require significant investment (estimated to be between $375-425 billion over two decades) and the inclusion of new low-carbon technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, wind and energy storage.

Industry News

  • The Ontario government is increasing funding for the province’s energy-efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total investment to more than $1 billion over the current four-year electricity conservation framework. This funding will support new and expanded programs that will help families and businesses reduce their electricity use so they can save money on their energy bills, while helping to meet the province’s emerging electricity system needs.
  • The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) released a paper in which they advocate that conservation programs should be placed back into the hands of local distribution companies (LDCs). They state that LDC conservation programs could eliminate 94 per cent of the energy supply shortfall by 2026 that was forecasted in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s 2021 Annual Planning Outlook, and by 2032 the energy supply gap will be eliminated and the peak energy shortfall reduced by 55 per cent. The paper can be downloaded from the EDA’s website.
  • On December 5, the Ontario government celebrated the opening of General Motors of Canada’s (GM Canada) first full-scale electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Ingersoll and the first BrightDrop Zevo 600s to be made at the facility. With support from the province, GM Canada has transformed its CAMI manufacturing plant into an all-EV manufacturing facility, the first of its kind in Canada. This project helps secure the province’s position as a global automotive hub with the vehicles of the future being built in Ontario by Ontario workers, from start to finish.
  • The IESO released their Annual Planning Outlook, which explores the supply gap forecast for the mid-2020s. The forecasted gap is being lessened due to recent activity of nuclear refurbishments, government decisions and supply procurements including this year’s first Medium-Term RFP. The upcoming annual December Capacity Auction is expected to procure 4,000 MW of generation for the Long-Term RFP and address the remaining reliability concerns.
  • The IESO also released their 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Mid-Term Report. In the remaining two years, enhancements will be made to the programs to reflect changing market conditions and customer feedback. The report also explicitly recommends engaging with local distribution companies on opportunities to build on CDM programs to provide local system benefits, leveraging the Ontario Energy Board’s CDM Guidelines for electricity distributors. To achieve zero emissions objectives, the IESO emphasizes that Ontario must build and expand its use of CDM programs to meet system needs.
Industry News

Corporate Social Responsibility

CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM UPDATE:

  • 2022 Budget: $37,215
  • Amount spent to date: $37,215

RECENT CORPORATE GIVING RECIPIENTS:

  • City of Belleville Festival of Lights and Diwali Festival
  • Northumberland Food Share
  • Shine Through the Rain Foundation
  • The Children’s Foundation
  • Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation

“With Elexicon Energy’s generous contribution to our annual Radiothon fundraiser, our event raised over $70,000. These funds are enough to support more than 200 at risk children and youth participate in various sports and activities, attend camp, and so much more. Together, we are helping one child at a time.”

– Zoey Jouwstra, Special Events Coordinator

The Children’s Foundation

“We are so thankful for the support from Elexicon Energy. Your donation to our BooBash Gala helped us get one step closer to raising the much needed funds for a new mammogram unit. The government does not pay for medical equipment; your support is truly making a difference in the community.”

– Lindsay Butcher Dodds, Operations and Community Impact Specialist

Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation

Municipality of Clarington

Image for Clarington

We proudly serve 16,000 residential and business customers in the Municipality of Clarington with reliable and affordable energy services.

The Community Reports support our commitment to transparency and keeping our shareholder communities up to date on our activities more frequently. The reports include information on Customer Service, System Reliability, Operations and Asset Improvements, Communications and Thought Leadership, Innovation and Sustainability, Industry News and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Have a question or require more information? communications@elexiconenergy.com

Customer Experience

  • On October 21, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) announced that electricity prices for households and small businesses would be lowered as of November 1 under the Regulated Price Plan. The winter Time-of-Use (TOU) hours and the change in the threshold for residential customers on Tiered pricing took effect November 1 as usual.
  • The OEB also announced that effective November 1, the Ontario government’s Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) would be changed to 11.7 per cent. The OER is a pre-tax credit that appears at the bottom of electricity bills. For a typical residential customer who uses 700 kWh of electricity per month, the OER would decrease bills by $13.91 each month.
  • The OEB’s residential Winter Disconnection Ban resumed on November 15. Elexicon Energy is continuing regular business practices of disconnecting commercial customers for non-payment with a focus on those customers who have the highest arrears.
  • Residential and small business customers can choose their price plan, either TOU or Tiered pricing. Customers are not required to select a price plan and are automatically enrolled in TOU. If they wish to switch, they must notify Elexicon by submitting an election form. As of December 31, 6,564 Elexicon customers (or 3.8 per cent) have changed their pricing structure or are in the process of doing so.
  • There are financial assistance programs in place to support customers, including the Low-income Energy Assistance Program and the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Elexicon continues to encourage customers experiencing difficulty paying their bill to contact us to discuss bill payment options.
  • Elexicon values its customers, and our Customer Experience team strives to provide customers with assistance in a timely and respectful manner. Provided below are the number of calls and written enquires our team received and responded to in Q4 2022.
    • Phone Calls

    Oct: 7,999

    Nov: 7,598

    Dec: 5,806

    TOTAL: 21,403

    Written Enquiries

    Oct: 1,278

    Nov: 1,119

    Dec: 1,321

    TOTAL: 3,718

System Reliability

More than 16,000 homes and businesses in the Municipality of Clarington depend on a steady supply of electricity to power their lives. Elexicon Energy takes service reliability very seriously and continues to monitor and mitigate any trends to ensure system reliability.

System Reliability
The average number of hours that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.04 compared to 0.10 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Loss of Supply:
25,741 hrs compared to 0 hrs in Q4 2021

Defective Equipment:
321 hrs compared to 110 hrs in Q4 2021

Foreign Interference*:
147 hrs compared to 450 hrs in Q4 2021

TOTAL OUTAGE DURATION IN CUSTOMER HOURS:

26,339 hrs in Q4 2022 compared to 1,572 hrs in Q4 2021

System Reliability
The average number of times that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.33 compared to 0.34 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Loss of Supply:
4 outages compared to 0 outages in Q4 2021

Foreign Interference:
2 outages compared to 8 outages in Q4 2021

Defective Equipment:
2 outages compared to 6 outages in Q4 2021

TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTAGES:

12 in Q4 2022 compared to 20 in Q4 2021

*The Ontario Energy Board describes Foreign Interference as interruptions beyond the control of the distributor such as those caused by animals, vehicles, dig-ins, vandalism, sabotage and other foreign interference.

Operations and Asset Improvements

Operations and Asset Improvements
  • Completed: Pole replacements on Brown Street to accommodate curb installations.
  • Completed: Load Interrupter Switch replacements at 6 Concession Street East and Mearns Avenue.

Communications and Thought Leadership

  • On October 19, Elexicon Energy President and CEO Indrani Butany joined Anita Sharma, television news anchor, for a fireside chat at the Ontario Energy Network’s Fall Networking Luncheon held at The National Club in Toronto. Indrani spoke on a number of topics, including the vital role local distribution companies (LDCs) play in the communities they serve and how Ontario’s energy sector must transform to reach its net-zero targets. She also shared her views on the importance of conservation programs, why the programs should also be in the hands of LDCs, and how LDC conservation programs can eliminate a sizable percentage of the forecasted energy supply shortfall. Indrani also touched upon the future of electric vehicles in Canada, and the importance of preparing and modernizing the grid for the energy transformation that is already underway.
  • Elexicon participated in the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference held October 25 and 26 at Durham College in Oshawa. The on-campus event, in its fourth year, featured a series of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of curiosity in science, technology and skilled trades, and connect Grade 7 and 8 girls to career opportunities in these fields.
  • In April 2022, the Minister of Energy announced that the government would be bringing together an Electrification and Energy Transition Panel. On November 17, the province announced its appointments to the panel. Elexicon applauded this selection of diverse leaders; the guidance they will provide on long-term energy planning; and how Ontario can best support electrification to ensure the energy transition continues to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
  • Elexicon, along with Alectra Utilities, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa and Toronto Hydro, joined forces during the month of December to increase awareness of utility-related scams and how customers can spot them. The utilities encouraged all customers to protect themselves, especially during the holiday season, and provided tips to stay safe.
  • Elexicon and Grandview Kids announced their inaugural Dream Big, Dream Brighters fundraising event raised $32,620. The proceeds will ensure Grandview Kids can continue to provide family-centred pediatric and rehabilitation services for children and youth with physical, communication and development needs living in Durham Region. The event kicked-off a multi-year partnership between Elexicon and Grandview Kids.
  • On December 5, Energy Minister Todd Smith joined today Elexicon and several other Ontario utilities to launch the new Green Button Data that will allow families and businesses across the organization’s service territory to track and control their energy use and save money on monthly bills. Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to mandate the standard.
  • On December 29, Elexicon announced its sponsorship of the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games being held in Durham Region from February 3 to 5, 2023. The Games will attract 550 participants, from athletes and coaches to officials and volunteers. Athletes will compete in 11 sport competitions at eight venues located across Durham Region.
Communications Thought Leadership

Innovation and Sustainability

  • Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, sent a directive to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on October 4, 2022 regarding the administration of conservation and demand management (CDM) programs in Ontario. The directive states LDCs should be able to administer their own CDM programs, and that the IESO should support any LDCs seeking funding from the Ontario Energy Board in this regard.
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, released the 2022 Federal Fall Economic Statement. The announcement included several tax credits for supporting clean electricity. Under the new Clean Technologies Investment Tax Credit, eligible corporations will receive up to 30 per cent of the capital cost of electricity generation systems, stationary electricity storage systems that do not use fossil fuels in their operations, low-carbon heat equipment, and industrial zero-emission vehicles and charging. A suite of other programs and tax credits are also detailed.
  • The Canadian Renewable Energy Association launched the Electricity Transition Hub. The Hub is a knowledge-transfer tool helping electric utilities and system operators accelerate their decarbonization efforts. It will equip participants to integrate larger amounts of wind, solar and energy storage needed to support electrification. A curated resource library and sharing relevant knowledge and skills through a quarterly report, quarterly meetings, and an annual Hub Summit event, are part of the Hub.
  • The IESO released their Pathways to Decarbonization Report, which was requested by the Minister of Energy in October 2021. The report examines potential pathways for phasing out natural gas. A moratorium on natural gas is not expected to be possible before 2027 and that will require $26 billion to be invested into new infrastructure. Completely decarbonizing Ontario’s electricity system by 2050 was also explored, and will require significant investment (estimated to be between $375-425 billion over two decades) and the inclusion of new low-carbon technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, wind and energy storage.

Industry News

  • The Ontario government is increasing funding for the province’s energy-efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total investment to more than $1 billion over the current four-year electricity conservation framework. This funding will support new and expanded programs that will help families and businesses reduce their electricity use so they can save money on their energy bills, while helping to meet the province’s emerging electricity system needs.
  • The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) released a paper in which they advocate that conservation programs should be placed back into the hands of local distribution companies (LDCs). They state that LDC conservation programs could eliminate 94 per cent of the energy supply shortfall by 2026 that was forecasted in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s 2021 Annual Planning Outlook, and by 2032 the energy supply gap will be eliminated and the peak energy shortfall reduced by 55 per cent. The paper can be downloaded from the EDA’s website.
  • On December 5, the Ontario government celebrated the opening of General Motors of Canada’s (GM Canada) first full-scale electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Ingersoll and the first BrightDrop Zevo 600s to be made at the facility. With support from the province, GM Canada has transformed its CAMI manufacturing plant into an all-EV manufacturing facility, the first of its kind in Canada. This project helps secure the province’s position as a global automotive hub with the vehicles of the future being built in Ontario by Ontario workers, from start to finish.
  • The IESO released their Annual Planning Outlook, which explores the supply gap forecast for the mid-2020s. The forecasted gap is being lessened due to recent activity of nuclear refurbishments, government decisions and supply procurements including this year’s first Medium-Term RFP. The upcoming annual December Capacity Auction is expected to procure 4,000 MW of generation for the Long-Term RFP and address the remaining reliability concerns.
  • The IESO also released their 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Mid-Term Report. In the remaining two years, enhancements will be made to the programs to reflect changing market conditions and customer feedback. The report also explicitly recommends engaging with local distribution companies on opportunities to build on CDM programs to provide local system benefits, leveraging the Ontario Energy Board’s CDM Guidelines for electricity distributors. To achieve zero emissions objectives, the IESO emphasizes that Ontario must build and expand its use of CDM programs to meet system needs.
Industry News

Corporate Social Responsibility

CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM UPDATE:

  • 2022 Budget: $32,968
  • Amount spent to date: $32,968

RECENT CORPORATE GIVING RECIPIENTS:

  • Bowmanville Hospital Foundation
  • Durham Region Hospice
  • Earth Rangers
  • Ontario Philharmonic
  • Orono’s Santa Claus Parade
  • Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue

“This year’s ‘All in for Healthcare Gala’ for the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation was an astounding success! Thank you to Elexicon Energy for your support as we went ‘ALL IN’ making this event a memorable one. Through partnerships with our valued community supporters, we are able to raise funds to support capital improvements and essential equipment needs. We are so grateful to the team at Elexicon Energy for their continued support and generosity.”

– Frank Cerisano, CEO

Bowmanville Hospital Foundation

“Hundreds of children across Durham Region will learn about biodiversity, animal superpowers and the importance of eco-action thanks to the generous donation from Elexicon Energy. The buzz during the assembly is electric as educators from Earth Rangers walk students through a fast-paced presentation full of examples of real-life conservation work and up-to-date science. And trust us, when Sonic the Barn Owl flies across the gym, the kids are hooked!”

– Sonia Albertini, Senior Manager, School Partnerships and Logistics

Earth Rangers

“Ontario Philharmonic is deeply grateful to Elexicon Energy for their continued support. Expansion of OP’s child, youth and seniors programming flourishes with Elexicon’s vital contribution, building our community’s resilience, instilling experiential wealth and delivering hope to those who struggle with socio-economic barriers. OP is a treasured cultural asset in its 67th year, and is the only professional orchestra between Toronto and Ottawa.”

– Laura Vaillancourt, Executive Director

Ontario Philharmonic

City of Pickering

Image for Pickering

We proudly serve 34,000 residential and business customers in the City of Pickering with reliable and affordable energy services.

The Community Reports support our commitment to transparency and keeping our shareholder communities up to date on our activities more frequently. The reports include information on Customer Service, System Reliability, Operations and Asset Improvements, Communications and Thought Leadership, Innovation and Sustainability, Industry News and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Have a question or require more information? communications@elexiconenergy.com

Customer Experience

  • On October 21, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) announced that electricity prices for households and small businesses would be lowered as of November 1 under the Regulated Price Plan. The winter Time-of-Use (TOU) hours and the change in the threshold for residential customers on Tiered pricing took effect November 1 as usual.
  • The OEB also announced that effective November 1, the Ontario government’s Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) would be changed to 11.7 per cent. The OER is a pre-tax credit that appears at the bottom of electricity bills. For a typical residential customer who uses 700 kWh of electricity per month, the OER would decrease bills by $13.91 each month.
  • The OEB’s residential Winter Disconnection Ban resumed on November 15. Elexicon Energy is continuing regular business practices of disconnecting commercial customers for non-payment with a focus on those customers who have the highest arrears.
  • Residential and small business customers can choose their price plan, either TOU or Tiered pricing. Customers are not required to select a price plan and are automatically enrolled in TOU. If they wish to switch, they must notify Elexicon by submitting an election form. As of December 31, 6,564 Elexicon customers (or 3.8 per cent) have changed their pricing structure or are in the process of doing so.
  • There are financial assistance programs in place to support customers, including the Low-income Energy Assistance Program and the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Elexicon continues to encourage customers experiencing difficulty paying their bill to contact us to discuss bill payment options.
  • Elexicon values its customers, and our Customer Experience team strives to provide customers with assistance in a timely and respectful manner. Provided below are the number of calls and written enquires our team received and responded to in Q4 2022.
    • Phone Calls

    Oct: 7,999

    Nov: 7,598

    Dec: 5,806

    TOTAL: 21,403

    Written Enquiries

    Oct: 1,278

    Nov: 1,119

    Dec: 1,321

    TOTAL: 3,718

System Reliability

More than 34,000 homes and businesses in the City of Pickering depend on a steady supply of electricity to power their lives. Elexicon Energy takes service reliability very seriously and continues to monitor and mitigate any trends to ensure system reliability.

System Reliability
The average number of hours that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.44 compared to 0.34 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Defective Equipment:
7,885 hrs compared to 5,086 hrs in Q3 2021

Scheduled Outage:
2,686 hrs compared to 3,841 hrs in Q4 2021

Tree Contact:
1,484 hrs compared to 280 hrs in Q4 2021

TOTAL OUTAGE DURATION IN CUSTOMER HOURS:

15,227 hrs in Q4 2022 compared to 11,503 hrs in Q4 2021

System Reliability
The average number of times that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.42 compared to 0.21 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Scheduled Outage:
19 outages compared to 19 outages in Q4 2021

Adverse Weather:
12 outages compared to 7 outages in Q4 2021

Unknown/Other:
7 outages compared to 6 outages in Q4 2021

TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTAGES:

53 in Q4 2022 compared to 65 in Q4 2021

Operations and Asset Improvements

Operations and Asset Improvements
  • Elexicon Energy’s Seaton Municipal Transformer Station (MTS) was energized on December 12. This is the first MTS wholly owned and operated by the organization, and will provide connection capacity for renewable energy resources to the community. The Electricity Distributors Association featured the milestone in the winter issue of its industry magazine, The Distributor.
  • Completed: Pole replacements on Oklahoma Street.
  • Completed: Pole relocations on Brock Road, from Taunton Road to Alexander Knox Road, to accommodate road widening.
  • Completed: Load Interrupter Switch replacement on Notion Road.
  • Completed: Switch installations on Brock Road, south of Hwy. 407, to support the Seaton MTS feeders.
  • Completed: 74 pad-mounted transformer replacements throughout the city.
  • Completed: Transformer upgrades on Balaton Avenue, Fairview Avenue and Rougemont Drive.
  • Completed: Phase 1 of Hwy. 2 Bus Rapid Transit road relocation work, from Glenanna Road to Brock Road.
  • Completed: Phase 1 of Peter Matthews Drive road relocation work, from Brock Road to the Toronto Landfill.

Communications and Thought Leadership

  • On October 19, Elexicon Energy President and CEO Indrani Butany joined Anita Sharma, television news anchor, for a fireside chat at the Ontario Energy Network’s Fall Networking Luncheon held at The National Club in Toronto. Indrani spoke on a number of topics, including the vital role local distribution companies (LDCs) play in the communities they serve and how Ontario’s energy sector must transform to reach its net-zero targets. She also shared her views on the importance of conservation programs, why the programs should also be in the hands of LDCs, and how LDC conservation programs can eliminate a sizable percentage of the forecasted energy supply shortfall. Indrani also touched upon the future of electric vehicles in Canada, and the importance of preparing and modernizing the grid for the energy transformation that is already underway.
  • Elexicon participated in the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference held October 25 and 26 at Durham College in Oshawa. The on-campus event, in its fourth year, featured a series of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of curiosity in science, technology and skilled trades, and connect Grade 7 and 8 girls to career opportunities in these fields.
  • In April 2022, the Minister of Energy announced that the government would be bringing together an Electrification and Energy Transition Panel. On November 17, the province announced its appointments to the panel. Elexicon applauded this selection of diverse leaders; the guidance they will provide on long-term energy planning; and how Ontario can best support electrification to ensure the energy transition continues to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
  • Elexicon, along with Alectra Utilities, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa and Toronto Hydro, joined forces during the month of December to increase awareness of utility-related scams and how customers can spot them. The utilities encouraged all customers to protect themselves, especially during the holiday season, and provided tips to stay safe.
  • Elexicon and Grandview Kids announced their inaugural Dream Big, Dream Brighters fundraising event raised $32,620. The proceeds will ensure Grandview Kids can continue to provide family-centred pediatric and rehabilitation services for children and youth with physical, communication and development needs living in Durham Region. The event kicked-off a multi-year partnership between Elexicon and Grandview Kids.
  • On December 5, Energy Minister Todd Smith joined today Elexicon and several other Ontario utilities to launch the new Green Button Data that will allow families and businesses across the organization’s service territory to track and control their energy use and save money on monthly bills. Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to mandate the standard.
  • On December 29, Elexicon announced its sponsorship of the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games being held in Durham Region from February 3 to 5, 2023. The Games will attract 550 participants, from athletes and coaches to officials and volunteers. Athletes will compete in 11 sport competitions at eight venues located across Durham Region.
Communications Thought Leadership

Innovation and Sustainability

  • Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, sent a directive to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on October 4, 2022 regarding the administration of conservation and demand management (CDM) programs in Ontario. The directive states LDCs should be able to administer their own CDM programs, and that the IESO should support any LDCs seeking funding from the Ontario Energy Board in this regard.
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, released the 2022 Federal Fall Economic Statement. The announcement included several tax credits for supporting clean electricity. Under the new Clean Technologies Investment Tax Credit, eligible corporations will receive up to 30 per cent of the capital cost of electricity generation systems, stationary electricity storage systems that do not use fossil fuels in their operations, low-carbon heat equipment, and industrial zero-emission vehicles and charging. A suite of other programs and tax credits are also detailed.
  • The Canadian Renewable Energy Association launched the Electricity Transition Hub. The Hub is a knowledge-transfer tool helping electric utilities and system operators accelerate their decarbonization efforts. It will equip participants to integrate larger amounts of wind, solar and energy storage needed to support electrification. A curated resource library and sharing relevant knowledge and skills through a quarterly report, quarterly meetings, and an annual Hub Summit event, are part of the Hub.
  • The IESO released their Pathways to Decarbonization Report, which was requested by the Minister of Energy in October 2021. The report examines potential pathways for phasing out natural gas. A moratorium on natural gas is not expected to be possible before 2027 and that will require $26 billion to be invested into new infrastructure. Completely decarbonizing Ontario’s electricity system by 2050 was also explored, and will require significant investment (estimated to be between $375-425 billion over two decades) and the inclusion of new low-carbon technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, wind and energy storage.

Industry News

  • The Ontario government is increasing funding for the province’s energy-efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total investment to more than $1 billion over the current four-year electricity conservation framework. This funding will support new and expanded programs that will help families and businesses reduce their electricity use so they can save money on their energy bills, while helping to meet the province’s emerging electricity system needs.
  • The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) released a paper in which they advocate that conservation programs should be placed back into the hands of local distribution companies (LDCs). They state that LDC conservation programs could eliminate 94 per cent of the energy supply shortfall by 2026 that was forecasted in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s 2021 Annual Planning Outlook, and by 2032 the energy supply gap will be eliminated and the peak energy shortfall reduced by 55 per cent. The paper can be downloaded from the EDA’s website.
  • On December 5, the Ontario government celebrated the opening of General Motors of Canada’s (GM Canada) first full-scale electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Ingersoll and the first BrightDrop Zevo 600s to be made at the facility. With support from the province, GM Canada has transformed its CAMI manufacturing plant into an all-EV manufacturing facility, the first of its kind in Canada. This project helps secure the province’s position as a global automotive hub with the vehicles of the future being built in Ontario by Ontario workers, from start to finish.
  • The IESO released their Annual Planning Outlook, which explores the supply gap forecast for the mid-2020s. The forecasted gap is being lessened due to recent activity of nuclear refurbishments, government decisions and supply procurements including this year’s first Medium-Term RFP. The upcoming annual December Capacity Auction is expected to procure 4,000 MW of generation for the Long-Term RFP and address the remaining reliability concerns.
  • The IESO also released their 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Mid-Term Report. In the remaining two years, enhancements will be made to the programs to reflect changing market conditions and customer feedback. The report also explicitly recommends engaging with local distribution companies on opportunities to build on CDM programs to provide local system benefits, leveraging the Ontario Energy Board’s CDM Guidelines for electricity distributors. To achieve zero emissions objectives, the IESO emphasizes that Ontario must build and expand its use of CDM programs to meet system needs.
Industry News

Corporate Social Responsibility

CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM UPDATE:

  • 2022 Budget: $68,982
  • Amount spent to date: $68,982

RECENT CORPORATE GIVING RECIPIENTS:

  • Ajax-Pickering Hospital Foundation
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-West Durham
  • City of Pickering Pollinator Program
  • City of Pickering Winter Lights Illumination

“Elexicon Energy is a true community partner. With financial support to different organizations, to assisting with events throughout our municipalities, we can always count on Elexicon to help in one way or another. The Pickering Mayor’s Gala began in 2005 and Elexicon has been a supporter since the beginning. From an MRI Machine to Fetal Monitors, supporting Mental Health to the new Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Center in Pickering, Elexicon has been with us every step of the way. A special thank you to the staff of Elexicon.”

– Matt Vilord, Special Events & Partnerships

Ajax-Pickering Hospital Foundation

“Ontario Philharmonic is deeply grateful to Elexicon Energy for their continued support. Expansion of OP’s child, youth and seniors programming flourishes with Elexicon’s vital contribution, building our community’s resilience, instilling experiential wealth and delivering hope to those who struggle with socio-economic barriers. OP is a treasured cultural asset in its 67th year and is the only professional orchestra between Toronto and Ottawa.”

– Laura Vaillancourt, Executive Director

Ontario Philharmonic

Town of Whitby

Image for Whitby

We proudly serve 46,500 residential and business customers in the Town of Whitby with reliable and affordable energy services.

The Community Reports support our commitment to transparency and keeping our shareholder communities up to date on our activities more frequently. The reports include information on Customer Service, System Reliability, Operations and Asset Improvements, Communications and Thought Leadership, Innovation and Sustainability, Industry News and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Have a question or require more information? communications@elexiconenergy.com

Customer Experience

  • On October 21, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) announced that electricity prices for households and small businesses would be lowered as of November 1 under the Regulated Price Plan. The winter Time-of-Use (TOU) hours and the change in the threshold for residential customers on Tiered pricing took effect November 1 as usual.
  • The OEB also announced that effective November 1, the Ontario government’s Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) would be changed to 11.7 per cent. The OER is a pre-tax credit that appears at the bottom of electricity bills. For a typical residential customer who uses 700 kWh of electricity per month, the OER would decrease bills by $13.91 each month.
  • The OEB’s residential Winter Disconnection Ban resumed on November 15. Elexicon Energy is continuing regular business practices of disconnecting commercial customers for non-payment with a focus on those customers who have the highest arrears.
  • Residential and small business customers can choose their price plan, either TOU or Tiered pricing. Customers are not required to select a price plan and are automatically enrolled in TOU. If they wish to switch, they must notify Elexicon by submitting an election form. As of December 31, 6,564 Elexicon customers (or 3.8 per cent) have changed their pricing structure or are in the process of doing so.
  • There are financial assistance programs in place to support customers, including the Low-income Energy Assistance Program and the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Elexicon continues to encourage customers experiencing difficulty paying their bill to contact us to discuss bill payment options.
  • Elexicon values its customers, and our Customer Experience team strives to provide customers with assistance in a timely and respectful manner. Provided below are the number of calls and written enquires our team received and responded to in Q4 2022.
    • Phone Calls

    Oct: 7,999

    Nov: 7,598

    Dec: 5,806

    TOTAL: 21,403

    Written Enquiries

    Oct: 1,278

    Nov: 1,119

    Dec: 1,321

    TOTAL: 3,718

System Reliability

More than 45,000 homes and businesses in the Town of Whitby depend on a steady supply of electricity to power their lives. Elexicon Energy takes service reliability very seriously and continues to monitor and mitigate any trends to ensure system reliability.

System Reliability
The average number of hours that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.10 compared to 0.10 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Foreign Interference*:
3,411 hrs compared to 213 hrs in Q4 2021

Defective Equipment:
634 hrs compared to 2,294 hrs in Q4 2021

Unknown/Other:
611 hrs compared to 83 hrs in Q4 2021

TOTAL OUTAGE DURATION IN CUSTOMER HOURS:

4,972 hrs in Q4 2022 compared to 4,557 hrs in Q4 2021

System Reliability
The average number of times that power to a customer was interrupted in Q4 2022 was 0.27 compared to 0.26 in Q4 2021.

TOP THREE REASONS FOR OUTAGE DURATION IN Q4 2022:

Defective Equipment:
11 outages compared to 18 outages in Q4 2021

Foreign Interference:
11 outages compared to 8 outages in Q4 2021

Tree Contact:
6 outages compared to 3 outages in Q4 2021

TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTAGES:

39 in Q4 2022 compared to 34 in Q4 2021

*The Ontario Energy Board describes foreign interference as interruptions beyond the control of the distributor such as those caused by animals, vehicles, dig-ins, vandalism, sabotage and other foreign interference.

Operations and Asset Improvements

Operations and Asset Improvements
  • Completed: 10 pole-mounted transformer replacements throughout the town.
  • Completed: 21 pole replacements throughout the town.
  • Completed: Pole line relocation on Garden Street, north of Taunton Road, to accommodate new development.

Communications and Thought Leadership

  • On October 19, Elexicon Energy President and CEO Indrani Butany joined Anita Sharma, television news anchor, for a fireside chat at the Ontario Energy Network’s Fall Networking Luncheon held at The National Club in Toronto. Indrani spoke on a number of topics, including the vital role local distribution companies (LDCs) play in the communities they serve and how Ontario’s energy sector must transform to reach its net-zero targets. She also shared her views on the importance of conservation programs, why the programs should also be in the hands of LDCs, and how LDC conservation programs can eliminate a sizable percentage of the forecasted energy supply shortfall. Indrani also touched upon the future of electric vehicles in Canada, and the importance of preparing and modernizing the grid for the energy transformation that is already underway.
  • Elexicon participated in the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference held October 25 and 26 at Durham College in Oshawa. The on-campus event, in its fourth year, featured a series of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of curiosity in science, technology and skilled trades, and connect Grade 7 and 8 girls to career opportunities in these fields.
  • In April 2022, the Minister of Energy announced that the government would be bringing together an Electrification and Energy Transition Panel. On November 17, the province announced its appointments to the panel. Elexicon applauded this selection of diverse leaders; the guidance they will provide on long-term energy planning; and how Ontario can best support electrification to ensure the energy transition continues to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
  • Elexicon, along with Alectra Utilities, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa and Toronto Hydro, joined forces during the month of December to increase awareness of utility-related scams and how customers can spot them. The utilities encouraged all customers to protect themselves, especially during the holiday season, and provided tips to stay safe.
  • Elexicon and Grandview Kids announced their inaugural Dream Big, Dream Brighters fundraising event raised $32,620. The proceeds will ensure Grandview Kids can continue to provide family-centred pediatric and rehabilitation services for children and youth with physical, communication and development needs living in Durham Region. The event kicked-off a multi-year partnership between Elexicon and Grandview Kids.
  • On December 5, Energy Minister Todd Smith joined today Elexicon and several other Ontario utilities to launch the new Green Button Data that will allow families and businesses across the organization’s service territory to track and control their energy use and save money on monthly bills. Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to mandate the standard.
  • On December 29, Elexicon announced its sponsorship of the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games being held in Durham Region from February 3 to 5, 2023. The Games will attract 550 participants, from athletes and coaches to officials and volunteers. Athletes will compete in 11 sport competitions at eight venues located across Durham Region.
Communications Thought Leadership

Innovation and Sustainability

  • Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, sent a directive to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on October 4, 2022 regarding the administration of conservation and demand management (CDM) programs in Ontario. The directive states LDCs should be able to administer their own CDM programs, and that the IESO should support any LDCs seeking funding from the Ontario Energy Board in this regard.
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, released the 2022 Federal Fall Economic Statement. The announcement included several tax credits for supporting clean electricity. Under the new Clean Technologies Investment Tax Credit, eligible corporations will receive up to 30 per cent of the capital cost of electricity generation systems, stationary electricity storage systems that do not use fossil fuels in their operations, low-carbon heat equipment, and industrial zero-emission vehicles and charging. A suite of other programs and tax credits are also detailed.
  • The Canadian Renewable Energy Association launched the Electricity Transition Hub. The Hub is a knowledge-transfer tool helping electric utilities and system operators accelerate their decarbonization efforts. It will equip participants to integrate larger amounts of wind, solar and energy storage needed to support electrification. A curated resource library and sharing relevant knowledge and skills through a quarterly report, quarterly meetings, and an annual Hub Summit event, are part of the Hub.
  • The IESO released their Pathways to Decarbonization Report, which was requested by the Minister of Energy in October 2021. The report examines potential pathways for phasing out natural gas. A moratorium on natural gas is not expected to be possible before 2027 and that will require $26 billion to be invested into new infrastructure. Completely decarbonizing Ontario’s electricity system by 2050 was also explored, and will require significant investment (estimated to be between $375-425 billion over two decades) and the inclusion of new low-carbon technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, wind and energy storage.

Industry News

  • The Ontario government is increasing funding for the province’s energy-efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total investment to more than $1 billion over the current four-year electricity conservation framework. This funding will support new and expanded programs that will help families and businesses reduce their electricity use so they can save money on their energy bills, while helping to meet the province’s emerging electricity system needs.
  • The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) released a paper in which they advocate that conservation programs should be placed back into the hands of local distribution companies (LDCs). They state that LDC conservation programs could eliminate 94 per cent of the energy supply shortfall by 2026 that was forecasted in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s 2021 Annual Planning Outlook, and by 2032 the energy supply gap will be eliminated and the peak energy shortfall reduced by 55 per cent. The paper can be downloaded from the EDA’s website.
  • On December 5, the Ontario government celebrated the opening of General Motors of Canada’s (GM Canada) first full-scale electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Ingersoll and the first BrightDrop Zevo 600s to be made at the facility. With support from the province, GM Canada has transformed its CAMI manufacturing plant into an all-EV manufacturing facility, the first of its kind in Canada. This project helps secure the province’s position as a global automotive hub with the vehicles of the future being built in Ontario by Ontario workers, from start to finish.
  • The IESO released their Annual Planning Outlook, which explores the supply gap forecast for the mid-2020s. The forecasted gap is being lessened due to recent activity of nuclear refurbishments, government decisions and supply procurements including this year’s first Medium-Term RFP. The upcoming annual December Capacity Auction is expected to procure 4,000 MW of generation for the Long-Term RFP and address the remaining reliability concerns.
  • The IESO also released their 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Mid-Term Report. In the remaining two years, enhancements will be made to the programs to reflect changing market conditions and customer feedback. The report also explicitly recommends engaging with local distribution companies on opportunities to build on CDM programs to provide local system benefits, leveraging the Ontario Energy Board’s CDM Guidelines for electricity distributors. To achieve zero emissions objectives, the IESO emphasizes that Ontario must build and expand its use of CDM programs to meet system needs.
Industry News

Corporate Social Responsibility

CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM UPDATE:

  • 2022 Budget: $91,503
  • Amount spent to date: $91,503

RECENT CORPORATE GIVING RECIPIENTS:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-West Durham
  • Durham Region Hospice
  • Durham College Foundation – Women in STEM
  • Earth Rangers
  • Herizon House
  • Ontario Philharmonic
  • Soper Creek
  • Town of Whitby Lights the Night
  • Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham

“Hundreds of children across Durham Region will learn about biodiversity, animal superpowers and the importance of eco-action thanks to the generous donation from Elexicon Energy. The buzz during the assembly is electric as educators from Earth Rangers walk students through a fast-paced presentation full of examples of real-life conservation work and up-to-date science. And trust us, when Sonic the Barn Owl flies across the gym, the kids are hooked!”

– Sonia Albertini, Senior Manager, School Partnerships and Logistics

Earth Rangers

“Elexicon Energy’s donation helped us provide engaging, self-esteem building activities for the women and children in our care. This has allowed us to continue supporting families in our community with food, clothing and counselling, and to take the first steps towards a life free of abuse. Thank you Elexicon.”

– Hilda Moe, Community Development Coordinator

Herizon House

“Ontario Philharmonic is deeply grateful to Elexicon Energy for their continued support. Expansion of OP’s child, youth and seniors programming flourishes with Elexicon’s vital contribution, building our community’s resilience, instilling experiential wealth and delivering hope to those who struggle with socio-economic barriers. OP is a treasured cultural asset in its 67th year and is the only professional orchestra between Toronto and Ottawa.”

– Laura Vaillancourt, Executive Director

Ontario Philharmonic

“We want to thank Elexicon Energy for sponsoring the Wild Winter Festival of Lights. As we reflect on the success of the event, we are so proud of how the community came together to support it. A total of 61 local organizations chose to participate in the festival by either creating a holiday display or funding a set display. The festival supported Durham’s food, collecting approximately 30,000 pounds of non-perishable food. In addition, the festival supported three charities: Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Shriners Hospitals for Children and J.A.G. Village – a support program for grieving children who have lost a sibling. Support from organizations like Elexicon not only benefit the community and charities, but also put smiles on children’s faces.”

– Stefanie MacEwan, Founder & Licensed Wildlife Custodian

Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue