Ontario plans to refurbish Niagara Region electricity generating plants for $1 billion
The Ontario governments plans to invest $1 billion in the refurbishment of three hydroelectric stations in the Niagara region.
The infrastructure program would secure up to 1,700 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity, equivalent to powering 1.7 million homes, helping to meet increasing demand from electrification and fueling the province’s growth.
“For more than 100 years hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls has powered our province, and with today’s investment we’re extending the life of these stations by another 30 years to help Ontario meet its growing electricity needs,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “This refurbishment program – part of our Powering Ontario’s Growth Plan - will create jobs and ensure we have the power we need for the next major international investment, the new homes we are building and industries as they grow and electrify.”
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and its partner, GE Vernova, will refurbish up to 25 units in total at the Sir Adam Beck Complex as the first phase of this work beginning in 2025, increasing the station’s capacity by up to 50 MW. OPG is also developing future plans for its DeCew I and DeCew II generating stations in the region.
“Upgrading and optimizing OPG’s renewable generation workhorses like the Sir Adam Beck complex is crucial to support the growing demands of electrification and a thriving economy,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO. “Through this refurbishment, this hydropower facility will build on its century-plus history, and continue to produce the low-cost, reliable electricity Ontarians need for decades to come.”
The work at the Sir Adam Beck complex will take place over the next 15 years, creating more than 200 jobs. The facility has been a source of clean power for more than a century. It produces about 12,300 gigawatt-hours of energy each year, which is about 35 percent of OPG’s hydroelectric production, or about nine percent of the electricity produced in Ontario.
“Ontario is blessed with a diverse supply of clean energy sources. Through this historic investment in the Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations, we are able to keep costs down for families while funding more reliable sources of energy,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “This investment will ensure a future of clean, reliable and affordable power in the province for generations to come.”
The investment is one part of the government’s plan to meet growing energy demand and reduce emissions. Other phases include ongoing work at the Bruce Power nuclear plant, building four small modular reactors at Darlington and supporting OPG’s plan for refurbishing the Pickering Nuclear Generation Station.
The province also intends to designate and prioritize transmissions lines in Southwestern, Northeastern and Eastern Ontario that will power job creators including EV and EV battery manufacturing and clean steel production.