OPG to Expand its Renewable Generation

Partnership Offered Contract to Build Solar

TORONTO, March 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and its partners, Sun Edison Canadian Construction LP and Six Nations Development Corporation have been selected by the Independent Electricity System Operator to develop a 44 megawatt solar facility on and near the Nanticoke Generating Station site on Lake Erie. 

"I am thrilled with this opportunity," says Jeff Lyash, OPG's President and CEO.  "OPG is already Ontario's largest renewable energy producer and this will be an important addition to our portfolio. We stopped burning coal at Nanticoke in December 2013 and this is an investment in a cleaner energy future for Ontario."

"We are delighted that Nanticoke Solar was selected," says Matt Jamieson, Six Nation's Development Corporation President and CEO.  "The project aligns with our community values of sustainability and environmental prosperity.  Investing in clean energy benefits the people of Six Nations economically without compromising our children's future.  We look forward to working with our partners to make this project a success."

"The Nanticoke project is a great opportunity for Ontario to take a former coal plant site and transform it into a clean and reliable solar power plant," said Michelle Chislett, SunEdison's vice president and country manager for Canada. "SunEdison's excellent track record delivering high quality and cost effective solar power plants was a major contributor to OPG deciding to work with us on the project. This project is a great example of how countries are retiring coal plants and replacing them with clean, renewable power plants."

This is OPG's fourth First Nation's partnership.  These partnerships have helped produce more renewable generation from Lac Seul (Lac Seul First Nation), the Lower Mattagami River (Moose Cree First Nation), and most recently the Peter Sutherland Generating Station on New Post Creek (Taykwa Tagamou Nation), which is currently under construction. OPG also recently settled the last of its 23 outstanding past grievances with First Nations communities.

The partners will now work together to obtain the required approvals and contracts needed to start construction.

OPG provides about half the power Ontario relies on at a cost that is about 40 per cent less than the rest of the market.  Our electricity is 99.7 per cent free of greenhouse gas and smog causing emissions.

SOURCE Ontario Power Generation Inc.

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