Ontario’s Minister of Power and Electrification says the Ford authorities is contemplating all types of power in relation to probably using space technology websites to develop the facility grid.
MPP Stephen Lecce was in Level Edward on Tuesday morning as a visitor speaker through the annual Breakfast with MPP Bob Bailey occasion at 4 Factors by Sheraton, organized by the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce.
One of many matters Lecce mentioned adopted up on a earlier announcement made in November 2024, to work with Ontario Energy Era (OPG) to start talks with municipalities and Indigenous communities about new power technology at current websites in Port Hope, Haldimand County, and St. Clair Township.
Ontario Minister of Power and Electrification Stephen Lecce talking on the annual Breakfast with MPP Bob Bailey occasion, organized by the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. January 14, 2025. (Picture by Natalia Vega)Lecce mentioned they’ve acquired early indications of curiosity from St. Clair Township however talks are ongoing.
He mentioned “all choices are on the desk” in relation to potential methods to generate energy, corresponding to nuclear, pure gasoline, hydrogen, small modular reactors, and battery storage.
“It actually might be a call and a session that the neighborhood will lead. We’re not going to prejudice it, that means they’ll be within the driver’s seat. The primary request is we’d like a municipal help decision to get this course of began,” mentioned Lecce. “So we’ll respect this course of, we’ll respect the neighborhood, we’ll work with them in good religion, to construct our power safety that’s inexpensive and dependable.”
Lecce mentioned any energy generated in Lambton County might be used, for essentially the most half, by Sarnia-Lambton and the broader southwestern Ontario area.
Other than assembly growing demand, Lecce mentioned these initiatives would create and safe hundreds of jobs in host communities.
“We’re not going to get forward of ourselves. We’re placing it on the desk, we’re placing cash on the desk, for the three websites, $50 million to help municipalities [and] enhance infrastructure,” Lecce mentioned. “We see a fantastic potential to construct upon the economic strengths of this area.”
A timeline has not been set however Lecce mentioned the province hopes to have consultations accomplished this yr.
“Most of those initiatives take, relying on the kind of power supply, a couple of years. Some, like nuclear, may take upwards of a decade,” Lecce mentioned. “We wish to safe this power inside the subsequent decade. We foresee demand rising, significantly within the 2030s.”
Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott was blissful to listen to the minister speak extra concerning the prospect of using the previous OPG producing station, which presently sits idle.
“We have been hoping that one thing was coming to exchange what was there beforehand for the nice of the county as a complete,” mentioned Marriott. “It will have been good to know a little bit [more about the] timeline however the truth that they’ve it on the planning board, is encouraging.”
Courtright’s Lambton Producing Station closed after 44 years of operation in 2013 when the province determined to part out coal energy technology. A scheduled implosion passed off on the web site in February 2022, and the ultimate giant constructions had been pulled down in December of that yr.
Marriott mentioned he does not wish to be overly anxious however he want to see a mission timeline of two to 5 years.
“I am extra comfy after listening to the minister, that there’s a lot of thought going into it,” he mentioned.
As for the kinds of energy technology, Marriott mentioned he does not have issues however he is curious to be taught extra.
“The brand new nuclear, of what I’ve heard, may be very clear and far safer than the older know-how so I am anxious to see extra particulars on that,” Marriott mentioned. “Lambton County council would positively be open to contemplating what their plans are.”
Lecce mentioned nuclear energy “is prime to our future” in Ontario.
“About 50 per cent of Ontario’s power supply, 60 per cent of our base load comes from nuclear energy, non-emitting nuclear energy,” Lecce mentioned.
Throughout his speech, Lecce additionally highlighted latest initiatives, corresponding to Hydro One’s new Chatham to Lakeshore Transmission Line. He additionally promised to proceed to advocate and emphasize the significance of Line 5 as a brand new authorities comes into workplace within the U.S.
Lecce additionally took half in a question-and-answer interval the place he mentioned hydrogen manufacturing, pure gasoline manufacturing, and girls within the power sector.
