Atura Power is a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation and is planning to make efficiency upgrades at the Halton Hills Generating Station (HHGS).
Project Description
HHGS is a combined-cycle natural gas-fuelled electricity generating station with an electrical output of 683 megawatts (MW). The station is located between Highway 401 to the south and Steeles Ave. to the north, west of Sixth Line.
The upgrades will involve replacing internal parts of the natural gas fired combustion turbines with more efficient parts which will increase the facility generating capacity by 27 MW (at 15 degrees Celsius reference level ambient air conditions) to achieve a total output of 710 MW. All upgrades will take place within the existing facility and there will be no changes or expansion beyond the existing HHGS footprint.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) quantified the near-term additional energy supply need in Ontario, stating that an additional 4,000 MW of new capacity is required by May 2027. Procurements for projects capable of meeting the increased energy demand in 2027 will need to be completed in the short-term. Atura Power is prepared to help meet that need and support ratepayers in Ontario through upgrades that will optimise and increase energy generation at HHGS in south-eastern Ontario.
Environmental Screening Process
Given that the upgrades will result in a 27 MW increase in the nameplate capacity (electrical output) of HHGS, the upgrades are subject to the Environmental Screening Process for Electricity Projects pursuant to Ontario Regulation 116/01, under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.
Atura Power has prepared a Screening Report that documents the results of the Environmental Screening Process undertaken to identify whether any potential environmental effects of the project would occur (‘Yes’ or ‘No’). The Environmental Screening Process determined that all Screening Criteria scored ‘No’ as a result of the HHGS upgrades project, and without any mitigation, all regulatory requirements will be met. Atura Power intends to move forward with implementing the upgrades subject to other required approvals.
Indigenous communities, agencies, and members of the public are invited to review the Screening Report for 30 days, beginning on Oct. 10, 2023. The report is available online at aturapower.com/haltonupgrade.
Any outstanding concerns about the project should be shared with Atura Power by emailing [email protected]. If the matter is unable to be resolved, the concerned individual may submit a written request to the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to elevate the project to either an Environmental Review or to an Individual Environmental Assessment.
MECP Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch Contact Information
- Mailing Address: Director, Environmental Assessment Branch, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor, Toronto ON, M4V 1P5 - Email Address: [email protected]
Elevation requests must be made in accordance with the provisions set out in the MECP’s Environmental Screening Process for Electricity Projects, with a copy sent to Atura Power. Any elevation requests must be received by the MECP’s Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch by Nov. 10, 2023.
Project Contact Information
More information including other project-related documentation is available online at aturapower.com/haltonupgrade.
If you require any assistance regarding accessibility concerns or wish to share questions or comments, please email us at [email protected].
For more information: https://aturapower.com
Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of meeting environmental assessment requirements.