Powering Possibilities

Exploring new power generation to meet increasing demand.

Planning for the future, now

According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the province’s demand for electricity is forecast to increase by 75% by 2050, the equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid. This increase is largely due to Ontario’s rapid growth in population, new manufacturing facilities, advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) data centres, the electrification of industry, and the charging energy required for electric vehicles.

Keeping up with this demand is going to require expanding our electricity system so that we can continue to provide the reliable, affordable, and low-carbon electricity the province needs for generations to come.

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Exploring new generation at key sites across Ontario

As Ontario's largest power producer, OPG owns generating stations and properties across the province. Three of these sites, Lambton, Nanticoke, and Wesleyville, are already zoned for electricity generation, have proximity to critical transmission, and are located in Southern Ontario within regions where a lot of growth is taking place.

The Ontario Government has asked OPG to look at these sites to determine whether there’s potential to locate new power generation facilities.

SiteFeatures
Wesleyville
(Port Hope) 
  • ~1,300 acres in Port Hope
  • Located adjacent to Durham Region which hosts Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations
  • Zoned for generation
  • Access to transmission, railways, and roads
  • Potential to co-locate other industries
Nanticoke 
(Haldimand County) 
  • ~900 acres in Haldimand County
  • Former coal generating site
  • Zoned for generation
  • Currently a portion is used for a Solar Facility
  • Existing transmission connection with capacity, railway, and dock
  • Located within an established industrial area and zoned for generation
  • Potential to co-locate other industries
Lambton
(St. Clair Township)
  • ~1,200 acres in Lambton County
  • Former coal generating site
  • Zoned for generation
  • Access to railway and deepwater dock
  • Potential to re-use some existing site features from previous generation
  • Potential to co-locate other industries

Generation technologies that will be examined

Large nuclear icon

Large nuclear

Small nuclear icon

Small nuclear

Natural gas icon

Natural gas

Hydrogen icon

Hydrogen

Battery storage icon

Battery storage

Building the future of Ontario's electricity system, together

Before we start this work, OPG will first meet with Indigenous communities, who are the Rightsholders, and local municipalities to understand whether they would be interested in exploring the potential, and many associated benefits, in becoming a host community.

Early community engagement is critical to OPG’s approach and we will only develop a project if a community expresses their support.

Frequently asked questions

  • Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has forecasted electricity demand in the province could increase by 75% by 2050.  
  • This means we must refurbish existing generating assets, and build new generation and transmission infrastructure, to ensure a reliable supply of energy to support electrification and the province’s economic and population growth.   
  • It also means we must start planning now because some projects will take a number of years to build.  
  • That’s why the Ontario Government has asked OPG to explore the potential for new generation at our existing sites, located in strategic growth corridors and already zoned for generation.   
  • Engaging Indigenous communities and municipalities early in this exploration will help determine whether there’s potential, and community support, to locate new power sources. 
  • As the Ontario’s largest power producer, OPG owns generating stations and properties across province.  Three of these sites -- Lambton, Nanticoke, and Wesleyville -- are already zoned for electricity generation, have proximity to transmission, and are located in Southern Ontario within regions where a lot of growth is taking place.  
  • The table above provides an overview of these sites and their respective features.
  • Nuclear currently provides more than half of Ontario’s daily power. It will continue to be the backbone of Ontario’s electrification and economic growth plans.  
  • However, it may not be a suitable option for all sites so we’re also looking at different forms of generation as well.   
  • The size of a facility would depend on the type of technology that is suitable for the property and surrounding area.
  • We will understand the possibilities better once we speak with municipalities and Indigenous Nations.  We would also have to undertake exploration work on the sites.   
  • The timelines very much depend on the technology type and size. For example, traditional nuclear typically requires ~10 years for construction and has an operating period of ~60-70 years. 
  • If a community wishes to explore energy development options, on-site work would be undertaken to evaluate the site in greater detail (e.g. site characterization, water access, transmission constraints, infrastructure needs, etc.). 
  • Our baseline studies around various environmental and archaeological considerations (noise, light, species at risk, etc.)  would include some drone assessments, on-site monitoring equipment and bore hole drilling to gather geotechnical information but the work would be largely unobtrusive.    
  • In parallel with our site assessment work, we would begin exploring how best to attract and co-locate other economic development activities to these areas.  
  • OPG acknowledges the importance of early involvement of land Rightsholders and is committed to creating lasting mutually beneficially relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities.  
  • Early engagement with Indigenous Nations proximate to the strategic sites ensures they have a voice at the table.  
  • Discussions will include potential opportunities for equity or economic partnerships as we continually strive to advance Indigenous economic Reconciliation.  
  • OPG will also make capacity funding available to advance Indigenous economic Reconciliation and support early engagement with Indigenous communities for: ​ 
    • Indigenous knowledge studies​ 
    • Rights impact assessments​ 
    • Other required environmental, legal, and archaeological studies​
  • Public engagement and opportunities for feedback will be an important part of this initiative. 
  • Right now, we’re at the early stages of a longer process to determine community interest for new generation facilities.  
  • A broader process of informed and meaningful engagement will take place in those communities wishing to explore options for becoming a host community.  
  • OPG places great importance on building strong relationships and partnerships with potential host communities, neighbours and Indigenous Nations on whose traditional territory we operate.  
  • Our aim is to ensure host community residents and businesses derive value from the many economic, social, and infrastructure benefits associated with a generation project and its ongoing operations.   
  • Indigenous Nations would have the opportunity for equity participation as well as the economic and job opportunities stemming from other industries who may co-late in the project area.  
  • OPG has also set aside a total of up to $50 million for all three sites. This funding would be provided on a milestone basis to help willing municipal hosts support infrastructure and investment attraction and readiness.  
  • The total amount of funding will be contingent on the generating technology, size, scope, and development impacts.      
  • Communities would also benefit from: 
    • Payments in lieu of taxes for generating site and property tax on ancillary buildings  
    • Near and long-term employment opportunities (the construction of a traditional nuclear project could create 20,000 to 25,000 jobs and another 4,000 to 5,000 jobs​ during its operation over many decades) 
    • Supply chain spending  
    • Spending by employees working and living in the region 
    • Corporate and employee charitable giving  
    • Environmental initiatives including potential biodiversity protection initiatives  
  • Interested communities requiring expertise and other capacity to enable meaningful, engagement with OPG can request early funding support.  
  • No, but the amount will be determined by the technology, size, scope, and development impacts. Nuclear builds are large, lengthy undertakings that require supporting infrastructure. Funding support for such a project would therefore be considerably larger. 
  • As a first step, interested communities can request immediate funding, if needed, to support them in exploring the generating options, so they have the expertise to make informed decisions.  
  • The next steps would be to work towards a broader willing host Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and subsequently, a Host Municipal Agreement, with additional funding provided as various milestones are reached. 
  • The total amount of funding for each site would be contingent upon community willingness and the size and scope of potential new generation development. This will be explored through OPG’s engagement and site assessment process.  
  • This milestone-based funding structure would be used to ensure municipalities are equipped to support a generation project from a community infrastructure perspective.  
  • OPG would also undertake parallel public education and engagement activities to ensure local residents can participate and provide their input. There will be many opportunities to do this leading up to and throughout the project development period. 
  • Projects will only be explored if they have a willing host community and Indigenous participation.  
  • At this point in time, OPG is in the early stages of understanding each community’s willingness to explore energy development in their community or territory. 
  • As work advances on this initiative, all available updates and information resources will be available here on this webpage. 
Accent: 65wb7xtzu3ck
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