MBC News file photo
Ontario officials announced another step toward a possible new energy generation project at the former Nanticoke Generating Station in Haldimand County on Wednesday. The announcement was made by Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce, OPG Senior Vice President of Enterprise Strategy Kim Lauritsen, Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley and other officials gathered at the site.
Lecce announced Haldimand County will receive $500,000 in growth readiness funding from Ontario Power Generation (OPG).
The funding will help the municipality explore opportunities for new electricity generation at the 900-acre Nanticoke site, including the potential use of small modular nuclear reactors (SMR), which are designed to generate electricity on a smaller scale than traditional nuclear plants. The list of alternatives to an SMR is short.
All gathered officials emphasized they wish to respect the First Nation perspective as well with Lecce adding he had recent discussions with Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill of the Six Nations of the Grand River and Chief Margaret Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Whether the future involves small modular reactors, hydrogen or natural gas, the funding will help the municipality explore new electricity generation opportunities for the Nanticoke site.
Lecce added the site is already zoned for up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity generation and has access to major transmission lines, rail service, port facilities and industrial land.
The announcement comes as Ontario prepares for electricity demand that is expected to rise by as much as 90 percent by 2050 because of population growth, new housing, electrification and industrial expansion.
Lecce said the province wants to bring power generation back to the former coal-fired station while planning for Ontario’s future energy needs.
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley said the project could benefit not only Haldimand County, but also surrounding communities.
Haldimand County council previously voted in support of continued discussions with OPG and the Ministry of Energy and Mines about possible new energy generation at the site. The latest announcement allows the county and OPG to move forward with a formal memorandum of understanding.
Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, who was not formally invited to Wednesday’s announcement, nevertheless made an appearance and welcomed the news, saying the Nanticoke site has long been the right location for future energy production.
Brady referenced the proposed Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) for the Nanticoke area, noting she hopes the province’s energy plans will influence future decisions on development. Minister Lecce declined to comment when asked about the MZO during the announcement.
Brady added that she wants more details about what type of energy generation is ultimately proposed and stressed that meaningful public consultation will be essential. She said she has no preferred technology and wants to hear from the community before any decisions are made.
Written by Jeremy Hall
