The Ontario government has announced $1 billion in funding for the refurbishment and expansion of eight hydroelectric generating stations in Eastern Ontario.

Announced on June 27, the program would secure 1,617 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity generation, equivalent to powering 1.6 million homes, helping to meet increasing demand from electrification and fuelling the province’s growth.

“Hydroelectric generating stations in Eastern Ontario have been providing the province with clean electricity for a century, and with today’s investment, we’re extending the life of these eight stations for decades more to help Ontario meet its growing electricity needs,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will use the funding to refurbish 45 units at eight generating stations: the Arnprior, Barrett Chute, Mountain Chute, Stewartville stations on the Madawaska River, and the Chats Falls, Chenaux, Des Joachims, and Otto Holden stations on the Ottawa River.

The work includes major rehabilitation of generating equipment to increase production. Once completed, the stations are expected to produce up to 100 gigawatt hours of additional clean electricity each year, equivalent to powering over 11,000 homes.

The work is also expected to create more than 500 jobs across the region.

"The beauty of renewable hydro power is its durability and flexibility. It also plays a valuable role ensuring grid reliability," said Heather Ferguson, SVP of Business Development and Corporate Affairs at Ontario Power Generation. "This significant investment will enhance efficiencies, create hundreds of skilled jobs in Eastern Ontario, and ensure our stations meet energy demands for decades to come."

Along with OPG’s recent investment of more than $600 million to refurbish the R.H. Saunders Generating Station in Cornwall, Ontario is investing close to $1.6 billion in Eastern Ontario hydroelectricity refurbishments to secure up to 2,673 MW of clean electricity.

The announced spending is just one part of Powering Ontario’s Growth, the government’s plan to meet growing energy demand and reduce emissions by expanding Ontario’s reliable, affordable and clean grid. The plan includes such measures as planning for new large-scale nuclear at the Bruce Power site, planning and licensing for four small modular reactors at Darlington, and supporting OPG’s plan to proceed with next steps toward refurbishing the Pickering Nuclear Generation Station.

The province is also designating and prioritizing transmission lines in Southwestern, Northeastern and Eastern Ontario that will power EV and EV battery manufacturing and clean steel production.