At a glance
OPG set to invest approximately $2 billion in the refurbishment and redevelopment of its hydro fleet in northern Ontario.
This work will secure up to 830 megawatts of low-carbon, reliable power to meet Ontario’s forecasted increase in electricity demand.
OPG’s stations in the region have been operating reliably for decades, in some cases more than a century.
Hydroelectric power is set to continue to flow from OPG’s stations in northern Ontario for decades to come.
In January, the Province of Ontario announced its support of OPG’s plan to refurbish and redevelop its fleet of hydro stations in the region.
The approximately $2 billion investment will secure up to 830 megawatts (MW) of low-carbon and reliable generation for decades to come. That’s enough to power the equivalent of 830,000 homes and help meet the province’s increasing demand for power driven by electrification and economic growth.
“Many of the hydroelectric facilities OPG is refurbishing today were developed as a result of visionary thinking a century or more ago,” said Nick Pender, OPG’s Senior Vice President of Renewable Generation. “Through investments like this, OPG and the Province are securing low-carbon, reliable electricity generation that Ontarians will need for generations to come.”
To execute many of the refurbishments, OPG is partnering with Andritz Canada Inc. The work will include major rehabilitation of existing generating units and equipment to maintain reliable and efficient operations as well as increase production at many stations.
Once completed, the stations are expected to produce up to 40 MW of additional low-carbon electricity each year, equivalent to powering more than 40,000 more homes.
Through investments like this, OPG and the Province are securing low-carbon, reliable electricity generation that Ontarians will need for generations to come.
Nick Pender
Senior Vice President of Renewable Generation, OPG
OPG's Ear Falls Generating Station is pictured at left.
In addition to generating more power, these refurbishments will create about 1,000 jobs and economic benefits for the region.
Over the next 20 years, we plan to refurbish about 70% of our hydroelectric generating fleet, or about 50 stations. This investment of $4.7 billion over the near term across the province will refurbish our stations to ensure the continued delivery of more than 5,000 MW of clean, reliable electricity while supporting over 2,000 good-paying jobs.
In all, OPG’s 66 Ontario-based hydro stations supply about 20% of the province’s electricity.
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, electricity demand in northern Ontario is forecast to increase by 81% by 2050.
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