Ontario Power Generation
Managing Emissions
Generating electricity through the combustion of coal
results in air emissions that include nitrogen oxides
(NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
NOx and SO2 emissions lead to the formation of acid
gases, ground-level ozone and smog. Accordingly,
recognizing that NOx and SO2 can have negative
environmental impacts, these emissions have long been
the focus of OPG’s air emission reduction efforts.
SO2 Emissions |
NOx Emissions |
CO2 Emissions |
In 2007, approximately 72 per cent of OPG’s electricity
production was derived from hydroelectric and nuclear
sources that were virtually free of air emissions causing
smog, acid rain and global warming.
The 2007 total acid gas emission rate of 4.83 tonnes/GWh was
OPG’s second lowest ever and was 35 percent lower
than it was 1997. This result is partially attributable to
the fact that Lambton GS Units 3 & 4 are outfitted with
flue gas desulphurization (FGD) and Selective Catalytic
Reduction (SCR) equipment for NOx reduction, and as
such they are recognized as two of the cleanest coal-fired generating units in North America. Similarly,
two units at Nanticoke GS are also equipped with SCR
technology.
OPG’s total gross CO2 emissions were 28.4
million tonnes. The CO2 emission rate
from the fossil fuelled fleet was 979 tonnes/GWh-net.
This rate was a 1.6 per cent improvement over the 2006
emission rate.
Environmental Policy
Download our environmental policy statement.
SD Report
Our 2007 Sustainable Development Report is now available for download.