Nanticoke Solar Project Completed on Budget and on Schedule
Opening Marks One-Year Anniversary of Nanticoke Stack Demolition
NANTICOKE, ON, March 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Ontario Power Generation (OPG), in partnership with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, has completed its first-ever 44-megawatt solar facility at the former Nanticoke Generating Station site.
In 2016, the Independent Electricity System Operator awarded a contract to OPG and its partners to build Nanticoke Solar. OPG has a proud history of working in partnership with First Nations. This is our fourth First Nation partnership and it will further the legacy of producing more clean and renewable power for the province. PCL Construction was awarded the construction contract for the Nanticoke Solar Project on March 13, 2018. It was also awarded the supply contract for the project's photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and racking system.
Located near Port Dover on the shores of Lake Erie, the former Nanticoke Generating Station was first brought into service in 1972 and had a peak capacity of approximately 4,000 megawatts of power. 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. Demolition of the Station's powerhouse is scheduled for September 2019 and will be followed by site restoration in 2020.
OPG is one of the most diverse electricity generators in North America. It produces about half of the electricity Ontarians rely on every day, and its clean, safe, power costs an average of 40% less than other generators.
QUOTES:
"We've partnered with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, on this important initiative," said OPG's Mike Martelli, President of Renewable Generation. "Building and sustaining a clean, low cost electricity system is fundamental to a healthy environment and a strong, low-carbon economy. Nanticoke Solar is a continuation of OPG's rich legacy of generating electricity in this community."
"Investment opportunities, such as the Nanticoke Solar Project, are direct contributors to the Six Nations Economic Development Trust which provides critical funding used to address our Community's needs and priorities," said Chief Ava Hill of the Six Nations of the Grand River.
"We are committed to investing in sustainable partnerships that deliver not only economic benefits but also employment & training opportunities to our beneficiary – the Six Nations Community," said Hilary Visheau, Chair of Six Nations Grand River Development Corporation's Advisory Committee.
"The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation hail this partnership as an important economic development," Chief Stacey Laforme said. "This is a very positive development for MCFN. Gone are the days when our First Nation suffered the burdens of the development of our territory without sharing in the benefits. This project, along with others, sets the stage for future mutually-beneficial partnerships with OPG and others about developments across our territory. We look forward to working with OPG as partners in this project as it moves ahead."
"Our company takes pride in all of the projects we build, and the Nanticoke Solar Facility is one of many exciting PCL-built projects in the rapidly growing sustainable energy sector," said Andrew Moles, PCL Construction's Director of Solar. "Through the expertise of our solar energy team, and the relationships fostered with top suppliers and consultants, we were able to construct, generate and store reliable, renewable power quickly and efficiently, while ensuring the highest standard of quality for OPG, First Nations and the local community."
BACKGROUNDER: NANTICOKE SOLAR PROJECT
Nanticoke Solar Project:
- In 2016, OPG and its partners were selected by the Independent Electricity System Operator to develop a 44-megawatt (MW) solar facility on lands near, and on OPG's Nanticoke Site.
- Construction of the solar facility is now complete and opened on March 29, 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 Senior GS (in partnership with Taykwa Tagamou Nation) have all helped to produce more clean, renewable power for the province.
- PCL Construction was awarded the contract to design, engineer and construct the Nanticoke Solar Project on March 13, 2018. It was also awarded the supply contract for the project's photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and racking system.
- 192,431 solar panels span 260 acres on the shore of Lake Erie.
Nanticoke Generating Station:
- Nanticoke Generating Station (GS) stopped using coal as fuel in 2013, having served Ontario for more than 40 years, providing reliable electricity when the system needed it.
- In April of 2014, OPG burned its last piece of coal to generate electricity in Ontario. This move away from coal was North America's single largest climate change initiative and the equivalent of taking seven million cars off the road. It also made Ontario the first jurisdiction in North America to eliminate coal as a source of generation.
- In July 2015, the Nanticoke Generating site was safely closed while the switchyards at Nanticoke, operated by Hydro One Networks Inc., remain in operation as a significant hub for the electricity grid in southwestern Ontario.
- OPG is in the process of removing buildings and structures from the Nanticoke site and remediating the former coal yard area. Site remediation work will be completed by the end of 2020.
- Demolition of the stacks occurred on February 28, 2018.
- Demolition of the Powerhouse is slated for September 2019.
SOURCE Ontario Power Generation Inc.
Ontario Power Generation. 416-592-4008 or 1-877-592-4008, Follow us @opg
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