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Nanticoke Generating Station



The Nanticoke Generating Station (GS) is located on the north shore of Lake Erie in Haldimand County, Ontario. Four of the station’s eight generators have been retired. The remaining four operating electricity generators are capable of producing 1,880 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Historically, with eight generating units in operation, Nanticoke GS’s annual electricity production has been as high as 24 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), enough electricity to run 2 million homes for a year. More recently, due to economic downturn, new electricity supply in the province and emission regulations, Nanticoke GS’s role has changed to providing reliability during peak demand times and back up electricity generation when other sources are not available.

Nanticoke GS currently employs about 250 people from the surrounding community. Their skills and experience are essential to safe and reliable operation. Approximately $900 million has been spent on energy efficiency, reliability and environmental improvements over the years.

Looking to the future, Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan, announced by the Minister of Energy in November 2010, recognizes that conversion of some generators to natural gas is an option for the future, if needed for system reliability. Co-firing of natural gas and biomass may be considered in future for OPG generators which are first repowered to natural gas.

The Plan also recognizes that long lead-time associated with a natural gas supply to Nanticoke GS necessitates technical and environmental studies for a pipeline in advance. Union Gas is responsible for the natural gas pipeline studies and associated communications and approvals. OPG is assessing plant modifications required for operation on natural gas and, potentially, biomass fuel, should the government decide to proceed with conversion.