It’s an investment expected to create local jobs and provide reliable, affordable, clean energy to fuel an ambitious growth plan in Ontario – $162 million to refurbish the Chenaux Generating Station.
Newly-appointed Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce joined Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski and a host of local dignitaries and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) officials and employees at the station Thursday morning to announce the funding
Yakabuski, who is Parliamentary Assistant to the energy ministry, said that for 70 years, the station has played a significant role in supporting job creation and stood as an impressive component of the province’s hydroelectric fleet, said the MPP.
Not only does the station power homes across the province, it brings highly skilled and well-paying jobs to our riding, said Yakabuski.
Minister Lecce addressed the new jobs that are expected as part of the project.
Lecce said with a mandate to scale up and build upon the already ambitious plan to produce clean, affordable energy, maintaining infrastructure is key.
Lecce said the government recognizes stations like Chenaux and the workers, including those assembled, are a critical and often underappreciated part of Ontario’s energy mix.
He noted the plan includes more nuclear energy, including the first small modular reactor in the G7, being built at Pickering, new large-scale nuclear at Bruce Power, and the refurbishment of the Pickering station.
The project, expected to extend the life of the station by another 30 years, will secure 144 megawatts of clean electricity generation, equivalent to powering 140,000 homes.
OPG will refurbish a total of eight units, a job that includes major rehabilitation of generating equipment. The station will produce more electricity from less water when the project is complete, officials say.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)
From left are, OPG SVP Business Development, Corporate Affairs Heather Ferguson; OPG Director of Media Neal Kelly; MPP John Yakabuski; Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce; and Whitewater Region Mayor Neil Nicholson. (Sherry Haaima photo)