Dispatchable Generators

Dispatchable generators must be able to adjust the amount of their generation in response to instructions from the IESO. These are called “dispatch” instructions, and the generators are called “dispatchable”.

The IESO issues dispatch instructions for each five-minute interval of the day. Dispatchable generators must be equipped to receive and respond to dispatch instructions from the IESO 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The dispatch instructions to reach a specific level of generation will be based primarily upon the generator’s offers to sell electricity at specific prices relative to the bids and offers from other facilities. For example, a generator may agree to sell 50 megawatts of energy if the price is $22/megawatt or higher, but may not wish to sell if the price is lower than $22. If there is demand for energy priced at $22 or more, the generator will receive dispatch instructions from the IESO telling it the amount to generate. If the only demand is for energy priced below $22, the IESO will send dispatch instructions telling the generator not to generate the 50 megawatts.