Redevelopment planned for 114-year-old Coniston GS

After more than 100 years of generating clean power for the province, OPG’s Coniston Generating Station (GS) is in the planning phase for potential redevelopment.

Sitting on the Wanapitei River east of Sudbury in northern Ontario, the two-unit, four-megawatt station went into service in 1905 and has reached its end of life. OPG now intends to redevelop the existing station to increase its capacity up to six megawatts.

As part of the definition stage of the project, OPG will undertake an environmental assessment to determine any impacts the project might have on the immediate area around the station.

“The Coniston GS project will improve the available hydro potential at the site, which will increase the amount of clean power available and help reduce carbon emissions,” said Mike Martelli, President of Renewable Generation at OPG.

The project will not alter the existing water management requirements in place for the facility.

On Nov. 6, an open house was held in the community of Wahnapitae to inform the public about the project. Overall, OPG received positive feedback from members of the community who attended. A second community open house is planned for next fall.