Nanticoke GS stacks safely demolished
Makes way for solar farm
NANTICOKE, ON, Feb. 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) safely demolished the stacks of the former Nanticoke Generating Station (GS), which was at one time the largest coal-fired generating station in the world. The site is now being transformed into the Nanticoke Solar Project, a clean energy partnership between OPG and the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.
"As Ontario nears the 4th anniversary of eliminating coal, few events could be more symbolic than having the stacks brought down at the site of the former Nanticoke Generating Station," said Glenn Thibeault, Ontario's Minister of Energy. "At its peak, Nanticoke Generating Station was one of the largest air polluters in North America. Ontario's elimination of coal for electricity generation remains the single largest climate change initiative undertaken in North America and was the equivalent of taking up to seven million cars off of our roads."
"Clean air is good for the health of all Ontarians. Shutting down coal-fired power stations in Ontario has literally changed the air we breathe," said Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "Building and sustaining a clean and modern electricity system is part of the province's Long-Term Energy Plan. Breathing cleaner air without hazardous air pollutants benefits everyone and can greatly reduce health problems like heart and lung disease."
"The change of OPG's Nanticoke site from harmful coal to a new, green solar farm mirrors the transformation of Ontario's electricity sector," said Mike Martelli, OPG's President Renewable Generation and Power Marketing. "OPG's power is now more than 99 per cent free of smog and carbon emissions making Ontario one of the cleanest electricity jurisdictions in the world."
Located near Port Dover on the shores of Lake Erie, Nanticoke GS was first brought into service in 1972 and produced 4,000 megawatts of power for the province at its peak. The station burned its last piece of coal on Dec. 31, 2013. The following year, Ontario became the first jurisdiction in North America to eliminate coal as a source of electricity production.
In 2016, OPG and its partner, the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, was selected by the Independent Electricity System Operator to develop a 44-megawatt solar facility on and near the Nanticoke site. While the Nanticoke Solar Project is currently in the approval phase, construction of the facility is set to begin once the site has been cleared. The facility is expected to be completed and online in 2019.
Nanticoke Solar is OPG's fourth partnership with Ontario's First Nations. The Lac Seul GS (in partnership with Lac Seul First Nation), the Lower Mattagami River Project (in partnership with Moose Cree First Nation), and the recently completed Peter Sutherland Sr. GS (in partnership with Taykwa Tagamou Nation) have all helped to produce more clean, renewable power for the province.
OPG is Ontario's largest clean electricity generator. More than 99 per cent of our power is free of smog and carbon emissions, and is priced 40 per cent lower than other generators, which helps moderate customer bills.
BACKGROUNDER: NANTICOKE GENERATING STATION
OPG's Nanticoke Generating Station (GS) was once the largest coal-fired power plant in the world, with a total capacity of 4,000 megawatts at its peak operations. This is almost 1,000 megawatts more than the current capacity of Pickering Nuclear GS. Throughout the late 1990s, Nanticoke GS provided a significant amount of Ontario's baseload power, while much of the former Ontario Hydro's nuclear assets were laid up. This station employed more than 600 staff and provided essential electricity to southern Ontario's industrial sector.
Replacing coal-fired electricity generation remains the single largest climate change initiative undertaken in North America, and was the equivalent of taking up to 7 million cars off the road. Banning coal for electricity generation has contributed to reduced emissions of fine particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, toxic substances such as mercury, volatile organic compounds and black carbon (soot), and has helped reduce the number of smog days in Ontario from 53 in 2005 to 0 in 2015.
Quick facts:
Construction timeline: 1967 to 1978
Decommissioned: 2013
Generating capacity: 8 x 500 megawatt units with a total capacity of 4000 megawatts
Stack height: 198 metres (650 feet) or roughly equivalent to a 60-story high-rise
Powerhouse size: 491,400 sq. ft. or more than 8.5 football fields
NANTICOKE SOLAR PROJECT
OPG and its partner Six Nations Development Corporation was selected by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to develop a 44 MW solar facility at Nanticoke, in Haldimand County to build and operate (up to) a 44 megawatt solar electricity generating facility on and near the former OPG Nanticoke GS.
Quick facts:
Expected completion: 2019
Generating capacity: 44 megawatts
Number of solar panels: 200,000
OPG GENERAL
- Province's largest clean energy provider; more than 99 per cent of the power OPG produces is free of smog and carbon emissions
- Produces about half of Ontario's power
- Provides customers with power at lower costs than other generators
- Our profit goes back to the Province
SOURCE Ontario Power Generation Inc.
Ontario Power Generation, 416-592-4008 or 1-877-592-4008, Follow us @opg
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