Ontario Refurbishing Hydroelectric Stations in Niagara
April 18, 2024
Stations would supply reliable, affordable and clean power for an additional 30 years
The Ontario government is supporting Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to refurbish its hydroelectric stations in the Niagara region, including the Sir Adam Beck Complex at Niagara Falls. This $1 billion dollar 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.”
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 stations 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 highly skilled and well-paid jobs in the Niagara region.
“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.”
This investment in Ontario’s hydroelectric fleet is just one part of Powering Ontario’s Growth, the government’s pragmatic plan which outlines the actions the province is taking to meet growing energy demand and reduce emissions by expanding Ontario’s reliable, affordable and clean grid, including:
- Nuclear Energy – Advancing reliable, affordable and clean nuclear power through pre-development work at Bruce Power, four small modular reactors at Darlington and supporting OPG’s plan for refurbishing the Pickering Nuclear Generation Station.
- Competitive Procurements – Acquiring 4,000 MW of electricity generation and storage and launching more competitive procurements for non-emitting electricity resources including wind, solar, hydroelectric, batteries and biogas.
- New Transmission Infrastructure – Designating and prioritizing transmissions lines in Southwestern, Northeastern and Eastern Ontario that will power job creators including EV and EV battery manufacturing and clean steel production.
- Keeping Costs Down – Launching new energy efficiency programs on January 1, 2025, building on the government’s $342 million expansion of existing energy efficiency programs which are helping families and businesses reduce their electricity use so they can save money on their energy bills.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s grid is one of the cleanest in the world with a diverse supply mix made up of nuclear, hydroelectric, renewables, natural gas and biomass.
- OPG operates four hydroelectric generation stations in the Niagara Region, Sir Adam Beck 1 and 2 and DeCew 1 and 2.
- The Sir Adam Beck facility has been a source of clean power for more than a century.
- The Sir Adam Beck facility produces about 12,300 gigawatt-hours of energy each year – about 35 per cent of OPG’s hydroelectric production, or about nine per cent of the electricity produced in Ontario.
Quotes
“OPG’s investment at the Sir Adam Beck complex in Niagara Falls will ensure that Ontario has the power needed to support the growing demands of our economy, while creating 200 new, good-paying jobs for local workers. In addition, this refurbishment will help to provide the clean, green power we’ll need to fuel our province’s growing end-to-end electric vehicle and EV battery supply chain.”
– Vic Fedeli
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
“This agreement builds on a century-long relationship between GE Vernova and OPG to advance the energy transition in Ontario and in Canada. Looking at the future, it confirms a new dynamic in the hydropower industry marked by closer and longer-term collaboration to secure the supply chain and increase the productivity of the projects. The modernization of these power plants is expected to extend the life of the assets for over 30 years, and increase the generation of sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity. “
– Frederic Ribieras
CEO of GE Vernova’s Hydro Power business
“Through this significant investment Niagara Falls will continue to help power Ontario. We welcome the good jobs and economic development this project brings with it and are proud to build on our long history of clean energy generation.”
– Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati
“The Niagara region played a foundational role in Ontario’s early electrification more than a century ago and will continue to be a clean electricity centre for decades to come, thanks to this refurbishment. Not only will this ensure Niagara’s OPG hydroelectric facilities will help power Ontario as demand grows, but it will also bring jobs and economic development to fuel Niagara’s bright future.”
– Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley
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