Ontario, Canada Coal Closure Launches Countdown to Green Energy

TORONTO-(Business Wire)-September 8, 2009 - Ontario is making landmark progress on Canada's largest climate change initiative as Ontario Power Generation (OPG) prepares to close four coal-fueled power units in 2010 - four years ahead of the 2014 target. This milestone launches Ontario's ten steps to transition the province to electricity generated from green energy which will open investment and opportunities in Ontario's green economy.

OPG will close two of eight units at its Nanticoke station near Simcoe and two of four units at its Lambton plant near Sarnia by October 2010. Together these plants represent about 2,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. With the shutdown of Lakeview Generating Station in 2005, Ontario's in-service coal capacity will be reduced by 40 per cent since 2003.

Today's announcement puts the province on track to be one of the first jurisdictions in the world to eliminate coal-fired electricity generation. Since 2003, more than 7,000 MW of new and refurbished generation have come online to ensure reliability, including over 3,700 MW of new natural gas fired plants and over 1,200 MW of renewable energy. It also advances the province's vision for the Green Energy Act 2009 furthering the investment climate which will make it easier to bring renewable energy to life.

OPG will continue to assess converting its remaining 11 units to other types of fuel such as biomass, a renewable fuel source that could not only provide Ontario with renewable energy, but could provide an alternate use for existing coal plants, as coal is phased out in the years ahead. Atikokan Generating Station will be OPG's initial focus for transition to biomass by the target year of 2012.

"Ontario is on the edge of creating one of the greenest and cleanest electricity profiles anywhere in the world. Delivering on the government's key commitment to eliminate coal, along with the Green Energy Act, will cement Ontario as a leader in renewable energy and conservation," said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

"OPG is committed to being one of North America's cleanest electricity generating companies. Phasing out coal generation will allow us to pursue exciting new generation opportunities such as biomass," said Tom Mitchell, President and CEO, Ontario Power Generation.

QUICK FACTS

The impact of Ontario's coal closure plan will reduce Ontario's carbon dioxide emissions by up to 30 megatonnes, the equivalent to taking almost 7 million cars off the province’s roads.
For the first six months of 2009, coal production was down 51 per cent and wind generation was 80 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2008.

LEARN MORE