The provincial authorities mentioned its starting pre-development work for the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage Mission in Meaford.
The federal government has dedicated as much as $285 million to finish an in depth price estimate and environmental assessments to find out the feasibility of the proposed undertaking, developed in partnership with TC Power (TCE) and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.
In accordance with a media launch from the Ministry of Power, a closing resolution on the undertaking will come as soon as the fee estimate is full.
“With electricity demand set to increase by 75 per cent by 2050, our government is advancing an all-of-the-above approach to energy affordability and energy security,” mentioned Stephen Lecce, Minister of Power and Electrification. “The Ontario Pumped Storage Mission has the potential to retailer and ship clear, reasonably priced power for many years, representing Canada’s largest clear power storage undertaking. This undertaking can solely proceed following this work and the profitable approval of Bruce’s growth plans, as this storage is a essential half our bigger power construct out.”
The undertaking has been in dialogue for years, with TCE hopeful to have the ability operational by 2030.
“The power….would operate by pumping water from Georgian Bay as much as a reservoir in periods of low electrical energy demand and releasing the water again into Georgian Bay to generate electrical energy in periods of excessive demand,” a media launch from the Ministry of Power mentioned. “By harnessing water and gravity, this undertaking would act as a pure battery, storing clear electrical energy to make sure it is obtainable when Ontario wants it most.”
The pumped station has been supported by Saugeen Ojibway Nation, the Municipality of Meaford, Metropolis of Owen Sound and Gray County Council, on the situation that it passes environmental and influence assessments.
Nevertheless, the Save Georgian Bay group has voiced opposition to the undertaking, citing environmental harms not simply to Lake Huron, however the Niagara Escarpment. In addition they argue the undertaking’s price ticket is just too excessive in comparison with current non-emitting assets
