Independent Electricity System Operator

The Independent Electricity Market Operator (IMO) is a Crown corporation responsible for operating the electricity market and directing the operation of the bulk electrical system in the province of Ontario, Canada.

The IMO was established in April 1999 under the provincial government of premier Mike Harris in preparation for deregulation of the province's electrical transmission delivery. As part of government plans to privatize the assets of Ontario Hydro, the utility was split into 5 separate Crown corporations with the IMO responsible for directing the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, province-wide network owned by Hydro One and other transmission companies. It was also given the responsibility of managing and operating the competitive wholesale electricity market and working with neighbouring jurisdictions to manage an integrated North American electricity network.

The IMO is an independent, not-for-profit entity. It is governed by a board whose directors are appointed by the government of Ontario, its fees and licences are set by the Ontario Energy Board and, most importantly, it operates independently of all participants in the electricity market.