Population, economic and agricultural growth are some of the reasons for an increasing demand for electricity and Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce says Northern Ontario simply needs more hydroelectric power.
“The average in Ontario is 75 per cent more power by the year 2050, but here up north, it’s 81 per cent,” Lecce said. “You are exceeding the provincial benchmark, and therefore we’ve got to work quickly and move with speed and a bias of action to get projects built.”
With that, Lecce announced a $2-billion provincial government investment across Northern Ontario aimed at enhancing and refurbishing hydroelectric facilities right across the region. Once completed the stations are expected to produce up to 40 megawatts of additional clean electricity each year — equivalent to powering over 40,000 homes. An estimated 1,000 jobs will be created.
“We’re going to enhance the optimization of those assets, meaning we’re going to get more power out of them because we’re making these investments today,” he said.
A partnership between Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Andritz Hydropower Canada will improve and expand stations across Northern Ontario, including Aguasabon, Manitou Falls, Cameron Falls, Ear Falls and Alexander. The Kakabeka Generating Station was not on the list.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has begun a $200 million renovation project on the Kakabeka Generating Station which MP Kevin Holland says forms part of the improvements and the rehabilitation of the energy sector across Northern Ontario.
“We have listed all the communities that will benefit from the project. There are, about 12 to 14 municipalities that are part of this particular hydroelectric investment,” Holland said. “There are ongoing contributions and ongoing investments. This type of project is something that OPG is leading because we need to make sure it’s being restored to maintain these assets for another 30 years.”
