The new Ontario government is canceling or winding down 758 renewable energy contracts that will see more than 200 projects killed off in southwestern Ontario as the newly sworn-in government follows through with its pledge to bring hydro bills down by 12 percent. Ontario ratepayers will benefit from US$601 million (C$790 million) in savings due to the decision to cancel and wind down the renewable energy contracts, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Greg Rickford, said on Friday. “We clearly promised we would cancel these unnecessary and wasteful energy projects as part of our plan to cut hydro rates by 12 per cent for families, farmers and small businesses,” Rickford said. All of the cancelled projects have not reached project development milestones, according to the minister. “And we are cancelling unnecessary renewable energy projects to help lower your electricity bills,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said earlier last week. […]